New Delhi
In a first public show of solidarity with the movement in Iran against compulsory hijab, a group of 50 Muslim women on Sunday burnt their hijab in Kerala’s Kozhikode.
The protest against the Iranian regime’s restriction on women’s choice of wearing their clothes was held under the aegis of the Kerala Yuktivadi Sangam, a platform of youth who propagate ideas of free thinking.
The burning of hijab was done during a seminar, local media reported.
The seminar “Fanos-Science and Free thinking,” was held in Kozhikode and the next one is scheduled to be held in Malappuram, yet another area with a dominant Muslim population next month.
While women burned their head scarves, the menfolk and other women stood around them holding placards with slogans against the Iranian regime of Raisi that has refused to listen to the women’s voices against compulsory hijab.
News agency ANI released these photos of the event on Twitter:
Kerala | A protest burning hijab was staged in Kozhikode on November 6th, in solidarity with the anti-hijab movement in Iran. pic.twitter.com/vVGaq6UEsG
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2022
The protests in Iran were triggered by the custodial death of a 22-year old women Mahsa Amini mid-September. Amini was forcibly arrested and apparently tortured in custody by iran's Morality police.
The Police alleged she was not wearing her hijab properly - it had slid showing a part of her hair.
The activists raised slogans and displayed placards in solidarity with the Iranian women.
Though Indians across religions are shocked at the indifference of the hardcore Islamic regime of Iran to the women's rights, activists have refrained from expressing their solidarity with the them agitating women.
ALSO READ: India's first 'Gate Woman' Mirza Salma Baig is icon of dignity
Yuktivadi Sangam is a national organisation and such seminars are organised every year on the topic of free thinking.