Tehran viral video: Why Iranian woman student stripped in public after assaulted by security forces

In a rather daring act of dissent, a female Iranian university student removed her clothes in public after being assaulted by security forces for improperly wearing her hijab. Multiple media reports said that the young woman, who was seen in public donning her inner wears in videos that have gone viral on the internet, was soon arrested for violating the Islamic Republic's strict "modesty" laws.

According to media reports, the woman decided to turn her body into a medium of protest after being assaulted by security forces at Tehran's Islamic Azad University on Saturday. 

The woman’s whereabouts remain unknown during the time of compiling this report.

Quoting the Iran International, many media reports said that the woman was found not wearing a hijab by the security forces. An Iranian student group reportedly told the media that the security personnel tore her clothes while confronting her and the skirmish left him bleeding. She was hurt as the officials tried to pin her down to a car and smash her head on a pillar. Infuriated by the violence she was subjected to over some uncovered hair, she decided to strip in public.

A university spokesperson confirmed the development on X (formerly Twitter) and said the student was "under severe mental pressure."

"Following an indecent act by a student at the Science and Research Branch of the university, campus security intervened and handed the individual over to law enforcement authorities," Amir Mahjoub, Director General of Public Relations at Islamic Azad University, wrote on X/Twitter. "The motives and underlying reasons for the student's actions are currently under investigation." Mahjob further wrote on the microblogging site that "at the police station,...it was found that she was under severe mental pressure and had a mental disorder".

Objecting to the arrest of the youth, the Iranian chapter of Amnesty International alled for her immediate release before adding that it needs to be investigated whether she underwent custodial torture. 

"Iran’s authorities must immediately & unconditionally release the university student who was violently arrested on 2 Nov after she removed her clothes in protest against abusive enforcement of compulsory veiling by security officials at Tehran's Islamic Azad University. Pending her release, authorities must protect her from torture & other ill-treatment & ensure access to family & lawyer. Allegations of beatings & sexual violence against her during arrest need independent & impartial investigations. Those responsible must held to account," Amnesty Iran wrote on X. 

Meanwhile, noted Iranian activist and journalist Masih Alinejad joined the band of netizens who expressed solidarity with the girl.

" In Iran, a student harassed by her university’s morality police over her “improper” hijab didn’t back down. She turned her body into a protest, stripping to her underwear and marching through campus—defying a regime that constantly controls women’s bodies. Her act is a powerful reminder of Iranian women’s fight for freedom. Yes we use our bodies like weapons to fight back a regime that kills women for showing their hair. This happened at Tehran’s Science and Research University She has since been arrested by the authorities. Be her voice," Alinejad jotted while sharing the video of the girl roaming in public wearing her innerwear. 

Iran had witnessed massive student protests in 2022 after a young woman called Mahsa Amini died in a hospital in Tehran after being assaulted by the notorious Guidance Patrol or Morality Police of the Islamic Republic. At least 551 protesters including 68 minors were killed after youngsters took to the streets against the strict modesty laws prevailing in the country. It was not before the spring of 2023 that Iran's ruling elite managed to suppress the uprising that wanted the hijab laws gone for good.