Iranian police have dispersed a prolonged sit-in by pro-hijab demonstrators outside the parliament building in Tehran, state media reported. The gathering, which lasted for nearly 48 days, was declared illegal by authorities, leading to its forceful removal.
The demonstrators, predominantly women dressed in black full-body robes, were advocating for the implementation of a bill that sought to impose stricter penalties on women who refuse to wear the mandatory hijab. The bill, officially named the “Law on Supporting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab,” was approved by parliament in September 2023 but was never forwarded to the government for final approval. It has since been shelved due to concerns over potential social unrest.
State-run Mizan Online reported that authorities engaged in discussions with the protesters, urging them to disperse voluntarily to avoid disrupting traffic and public order. While most protesters complied, approximately 30 individuals resisted and clashed with security forces, as shown in video footage released by state media.
The bill, if enforced, would have imposed hefty fines and prison sentences on women who refused to wear the hijab, as well as penalties for individuals accused of promoting “nudity” or “indecency.” Its passage came in the aftermath of nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, who died in custody in 2022 after being arrested for allegedly violating Iran’s strict dress code.
Since Amini’s death, increasing numbers of Iranian women have defied the hijab mandate, particularly in major cities such as Tehran. This defiance has sparked ongoing tensions between conservative factions advocating for stricter enforcement and reformists pushing for greater personal freedoms.
Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani stated in January that the bill was set aside due to fears of serious social consequences. The recent dispersal of pro-hijab demonstrators highlights the deepening divisions within Iranian society over personal freedoms and state-imposed dress codes. As authorities continue to grapple with the shifting social landscape, the debate over women’s rights and the hijab law remains a contentious issue in Iran’s political and cultural discourse.
