In an incident that has reignited the debate on Iran’s dress code laws, Ahoo Daryayi, a 30-year-old French language student, was confronted by university security and Basij agents on Tehran’s Islamic Azad University campus for not wearing the “maqna’e” — a strict type of head covering mandated in certain academic settings. Daryayi’s refusal to comply led to a violent confrontation, shedding light on the harsh methods used by Iranian authorities to enforce dress codes.

What Happened?

According to sources, Daryayi was approached by security personnel who demanded she comply with the specific head covering requirement. When she resisted, the situation quickly escalated, with witnesses reporting that security personnel attempted to detain her by force, allegedly ripping apart her hoodie and exposing her undergarments.

In a shocking act of defiance, Daryayi removed her pants and threw them towards the agents, a gesture that has since become symbolic of her rejection of the imposed dress code.

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… pic.twitter.com/76ekxSK7bI

— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) November 2, 2024

This act of protest, however, was met with swift and brutal retaliation. Daryayi was reportedly beaten, left bleeding, and taken to an undisclosed location.

Her current whereabouts remain unclear, but university officials have since claimed that she was suffering from “severe mental pressure” and “a mental disorder.”

They later announced that she had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital, a tactic that human rights groups argue is used to discredit and silence individuals challenging the status quo.

The Reaction and Speculation on Her Fate

The university’s official statement has been met with skepticism, especially given Iran’s recent history of silencing dissidents by portraying them as mentally unstable. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have condemned her detainment and called for her immediate release.

Her case has also stirred international attention, as advocates worry about her well-being and fear she may face severe punitive measures or prolonged detention under the guise of “mental health treatment.”

While Iranian authorities have yet to confirm her status or location, many speculate that Daryayi may face further legal or psychiatric evaluations intended to undermine her act of defiance and discourage similar protests.

A Familiar Pattern: Other Incidents of Defiance

Ahoo Daryayi’s case is one in a series of incidents where Iranian women have been publicly reprimanded, detained, or worse, for challenging restrictive dress codes.

Last year, Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman, died in the custody of Iran’s “morality police” after allegedly violating the hijab law. Her death sparked nationwide protests, with women and men alike calling for an end to the oppressive enforcement of dress codes.

Another recent example includes Sepideh Rashno, who was arrested for resisting the moral code enforcers on public transportation, only to later appear on state television offering an apology many believe was coerced.

The crackdown against these acts of resistance reveals an unsettling pattern. Iranian authorities have been adamant about maintaining strict control over women’s attire in public, regardless of the significant pushback. And with each incident, the rift between the state and the younger, more progressive generation of Iranians only deepens, highlighting a growing disillusionment with restrictive societal norms.

The Debate on Iran’s Dress Codes: Control vs. Cultural Values

Iran’s dress code mandates, imposed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, were initially positioned as a measure to uphold Islamic values and preserve modesty. However, critics argue that these laws have become tools for the state to control public behavior and suppress individuality, especially among women. In recent years, enforcement has only intensified, with plainclothes officers and Basij agents often patrolling public spaces to monitor and apprehend women for dress code violations.

For many Iranian women, these dress codes no longer represent cultural values but rather an outdated and increasingly oppressive restriction. The willingness of women like Daryayi to risk personal safety for the right to choose their attire signals a significant shift within Iranian society—one that rejects coercion in favor of personal autonomy.

Why Ahoo Daryayi’s Protest Matters

The courage of Ahoo Daryayi stands as a powerful reminder that Iran’s approach to enforcing dress codes is not only failing to achieve compliance but is actively breeding defiance. Her act of resistance may be dismissed by authorities as a moment of instability, but for many, it symbolizes a demand for change. Rather than protecting culture or modesty, the state’s approach appears to push its citizens further away from traditional values by associating them with force and repression.

It’s time for Iranian leaders to recognize that change is inevitable. Continuing to enforce dress codes with such severity only escalates the tension between the people and the state. A society that honors its traditions is one that also respects the agency of its individuals, allowing them to choose how they wish to engage with those traditions.

As the world watches Daryayi’s case, there is an urgent call for international voices to support her and others like her. They are not only fighting for their rights but are challenging a system that has lost touch with the aspirations of its own people. True respect for cultural values can only be achieved by creating a space for personal choice—not through coercion or control.

Ahoo Daryayi’s protest may be one in a long line of acts of defiance, but it serves as a testament to the resilience of Iranian women and their determination to be seen, heard, and respected on their own terms.