As women in Iran fight against hijab, know about history of headscarf protests since 2008

Iran is witnessing massive protests in several parts of country after a young woman died in police custody in Tehran earlier this week. deceased was identified as 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, and she was arrested by "morality police" who claimed that she was t wearing hijab (headscarf) properly. According to reports, hundreds of women took to streets to protest death of Amini as well as hijab diktat of Iranian government. tably, Amini was arrested on September 13 after country's so-called “morality police” found "something wrong" with her headscarf,  Associated Press reported. 

According to reports, some female protestors cut off ir hair and burned ir hijabs as a symbolic act of dissent against strict Iranian law requiring women above of seven years to wear religious headscarves.  protestors also chanted anti-government slogans and called for removal of "dictator government".

It should be ted that  headscarf has been mandatory for women in Iran since 1979 Islamic Revolution and members of morality police enforce strict dress code. force has been severely criticised in recent years over its treatment of people, especially young women. 

Since 2008, Iran has witnessed several protests against headscarf diktat. However, Iranian hardliners have demanded serious punishments for women who flout hijab law in spite of demonstrations.

Timeline of protests against Hijab in Iran

• 2007: A 27-year-old medical student was arrested on charges of violating hijab law. She was later declared dead in police custody. 
• 2008: A number of clashes erupted over hijab at Tehran University's School of Arts. 
• 2018: A number of women were violently beaten in public for allegedly t wearing hijab properly. 
• 2019: A teen girl, without a hijab, was arrested for playing with water at a water park. 
• 2021: Several women were arrested by "morality police" using a snare pole.
• 2022: Reza Moradkhani, a former member of Iranian National Boxing Team, was shot dead in April. incident started when his wife, Maria Arefi, was issued a warning and reprimanded by morality police for wearing a headscarf improperly.
• 2022: A video of Sepideh Rash, a 28-year-old writer and artist, arguing with ar lady who was enforcing rule on wearing a head scarf on a bus in Tehran went viral on June 15. Rash was later arrested and beaten by police.
• 2022: 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in police custody after being detained by "morality police" on September 16. 

Im: AP