In a show of defiance against the strict enforcement of mandatory hijab regulations, students at Amir Amirkabir University of Technology in Tehran, Iran, embarked on a strike on Sunday. The protest comes after over 200 students were banned from entering the campus by the morality police, sparking outrage within the student community.

The strike was announced through the university students' independent newsletter on Telegram, serving as a stand against suppression and in solidarity with peers who have been denied entry to the university for non-compliance with the hijab rules. The Iranian government, led by religious hardliners, reinstated harsh enforcement of hijab regulations a few months after nationwide protests in 2022-2023.

The protests were originally triggered by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died while in morality police custody after being arrested for "improper hijab." Since then, the government has resumed its strict control over mandatory hijab, leading to widespread discontent among the student population.

Reports from Iran International reveal incidents where security personnel at Amir Kabir University obstructed both male and female students from entering based on their attire. Female students were reportedly coerced into wearing chadors, while male students faced restrictions on their clothing choices, including T-shirts, short-sleeved garments, and sports attire.

Images shared on social media showed students gathered outside Rasht Gate, the northern entrance of the university, where at least 20 students were denied entry due to insufficient hijab compliance. Similar incidents were reported at other entrances, further fueling the students' frustration.

In their announcement, the students held the University's executive board and Hafez Shahbazi, head of Amir Kabir University's security, directly accountable for the crackdown, referring to him as a "mercenary." Students from various faculties, including computer engineering, energy engineering, and industrial engineering, came together to support the call for a boycott of classes, resulting in low attendance on Sunday.

This protest forms part of a larger movement against the mandatory hijab enforcement in Iran. Since the implementation of Project Noor to enforce hijab laws on April 13, there has been a noticeable increase in the presence of police forces, Basij, and plainclothes officers assigned to monitor and enforce the regulations.

Other universities in Iran, such as Alzahra University in Tehran, have also intensified their efforts to enforce hijab regulations, with facial recognition technology installed at entry gates. Any student whose appearance fails to adhere to the strict hijab standards is denied entry.

Similar crackdowns on students have been reported at the University of Kurdistan in Sanandaj, where security officers have warned of disciplinary action, including confiscation of student cards, for those deemed to have an "improper" hijab.

Despite authorities' attempts to suppress civil disobedience and impose strict control, many women continue to challenge the mandatory hijab mandate, often enduring violence and intimidation. The student strike at Amir Kabir University reflects a growing discontent with the restrictive policies imposed by the Iranian government.

As the protest gains momentum, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the demands of the students and whether their voices will lead to any meaningful change in the enforcement of hijab regulations in Iran.