Students' Accounts of Security Forces' Encounters: Entering University with Fear and Anxiety

Students from various universities have reported feelings of "fear and anxiety" when entering their campuses, citing an increase in confrontations with security forces coinciding with the implementation of the "Noor" plan. The news website Khabar Online emphasizes that the treatment of students varies across universities and is "completely arbitrary." A student named Masoumeh, a master's student, expressed her constant worry about encountering security personnel regarding her attire, scarf, sitting posture, or any other issue. The reporter noted that with the start of the "Noor" plan, reminiscent of the previous morality patrols, restrictions related to hijab in universities have intensified. Khabar Online reported that repeated warnings have become "frustrating" for students, and when they share their feelings, they express anger, helplessness, anxiety, feelings of inferiority, incompetence, insecurity, and guilt. The lack of a unified policy for students has become "disturbing," as unclear dress code criteria lead to situations where students are questioned about outfits that were acceptable the day before. Reports indicate that with the implementation of the "Noor" plan in Iran, which began on Saturday, April 15, 2023, to confront societal resistance against mandatory hijab, student media have also reported an escalation in confrontations with students under the pretext of not having "appropriate hijab." In this context, the Amir Kabir University newsletter reported that as of the early hours of Saturday, May 1, "dress code enforcement" against students has reached its highest level in the past decade. The Amir Kabir newsletter stated that female students deemed to have "inappropriate attire" must wear a chador to gain permission to attend university. Concurrently, following the prevention of students' entry into Amir Kabir University during the crackdown on optional dress, a group of students announced their intention to strike and refrain from attending classes on May 2 and 3. On April 11, the Telegram channel "Voice of Alzahra Students" reported an "increasingly secure atmosphere" at Alzahra University, with facial recognition cameras installed at the entrance and exit. The "Progressive Students" Telegram channel also reported sending threatening messages regarding mandatory hijab to students at Malayer University. Pressure on students in Iran has intensified following the "Women, Life, Freedom" protests, with student news sources reporting in early October 2023 the establishment of "hijab patrols" at Tehran University, requiring students to wear "long mantos and headscarves" down to their knees. Additionally, a bill approved by the parliament titled "Chastity and Hijab" emphasizes that a "database of students" should be provided to the police to identify those attending with optional hijab. The new dimensions of the crackdown on women in Iran under the guise of mandatory hijab have led users to label the "Noor" plan as a plan of force. The secretary of the "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Headquarters" confirmed the establishment of a "Hijab Headquarters" by Raisi under the supervision of the Minister of Interior. Protests against the "crackdown" on optional dress have led some Amir Kabir University students to refrain from attending classes. The prevention of students' entry into Tehran Polytechnic signifies that the "Noor" plan has reached universities. Despite widespread protests, the police have stated that the "Noor" plan will continue robustly. Observers note that the fifth day of the deployment of forces against optional dress indicates that Khamenei has issued a "command for civil war." A statement from 15 "religious reformists" declared that the era of "either hijab or violence" is over.