Iranian regime’s paradox in imposing the compulsory Hijab
Today, we’ll be delving into two critical developments that are making waves: the resurgence of the Guidance Patrols and the contentious Hijab and Chastity Bill.
What is the impact as well as the methods and tactics employed by these patrols to enforce the compulsory Hijab?
This move signifies the regime’s determination to tighten its grip on social norms and personal freedoms, particularly after facing widespread uprisings.
The patrols employ advanced facial recognition technology, placing surveillance cameras in various public spaces. They’re tasked with identifying and penalizing women who defy the Hijab code, imposing heavy fines, imprisonment, and even resorting to public humiliation, such as assigning women to wash corpses in morgues. It’s a chilling example of how the regime seeks to control and intimidate women into submission.
What are the statistics on the record of the suppression of women since March?
G: Yes, you’re right. On the 14th of June, the State Security Force spokesperson announced that since April 15th, the police had sent almost one million SMS warning messages to women captured unveiled in their cars. The SSF issued 133,174 SMS messages requiring the immobilization of vehicles for a specific duration, confiscated 2,000 cars, and referred more than 4,000 repeat offenders to the Judiciary across the country.
The spokesperson of the Iranian Judiciary also reported that from March 21 to July 22, 2,251 cases were filed against women who removed their Hijabs. Out of these cases, 825 resulted in convictions.
There have also been official directives instructing hospitals, museums, tourist attractions, banks, restaurants, etc. to prevent unveiled women from entering and from receiving services.
The latest development has been Tehran Municipality’s move to employ 400 Veil Watchers with an exorbitant monthly salary of 12 million Tomans to prevent unveiled women from entering the metro stations and reporting them to the police.
Wow, that’s 5 billion Tomans per month spent on Hijab, while the worn-out public transportation fleet and other urban facilities have caused widespread dissatisfaction.
Now, the public reaction has been powerful, with instances of resistance and clashes. How do you view this dynamic between citizens and security forces?
The public’s response reflects their growing frustration and determination to resist these oppressive measures. Iranians, particularly women, are refusing to be silenced. Clashes between citizens and security forces highlight the deep-seated societal tensions and the regime’s desperation to suppress dissent.
The paradox surrounding the bill’s intentions is intriguing. Could you provide insight into the conflicting signals and messages being conveyed by the Iranian regime?
The Iranian authorities have recognized the inefficiency of the present laws to enforce the compulsory Hijab, as a religious obligation. In addition, punishing the lawbreakers with flogging and imprisonment would spark widespread protests by disgruntled people. That’s why the Judiciary decided to change viewing the removal of the Hijab as a crime and regard it as an offense punishable by fines.
On the other hand, when they remove the religious obligation, they no longer have any justification to enforce the Hijab on all women.
Some of the regime’s experts cite the remarks by the mullahs’ supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who said removing the veil is “politically unlawful” and the enemy uses it to strike at the country’s foundations and distort its identity.
Therefore, the Iranian authorities assert that the Hijab is a redline for the regime and “a top element of national power.” And they would not ever back down from enforcing it.
