Earlier, Iranian authorities used technology for installing cameras in public places to identify women without hijabs. The cameras are not only for hijab but also monitoring other rules such as identifying women wearing loose-fitting clothing in public spaces. The traffic control cameras are capturing women travelling in cars without the hijab. If fail to follow the dress code, the SMS is sent on the mobile with a website link where they can check the alleged offence. Now Iranian men are also receiving these warning text messages.
Men without hijabs receive warning SMS
The SMS talks about warning messages about dress code violations and threats of confiscating vehicles. A woman narrated her experience to BBC. The woman received a warning text that the car will be seized if they appear in public without the hijab again. The woman was on a road trip with her female friends to the city of Damghan. The report also pointed out that the rules were in place for years, but this is the first time they have been proactively implemented.
The men receiving a warning SMS is said to be a technical glitch. The cameras are considered not to be so accurate. For an instant- A man complained of receiving the SMS for travelling without a headscarf, interestingly he was not even travelling with a woman. The confusion was created because he had long hair. The BBC report noted the message sent to the men. The message read- Dear citizen, it is necessary to respect and comply with the law of the hijab.
Iranian men have questioned technology for being not so accurate. Women have been fighting against such programs and not adhering to the thr rules enforced by authorities. A few lawyers have also argued that such a move by the police and the judiciary is illegal. One of the Twitter users Mohsen Borhani tweeted- The confiscation of cars because of a lack of hijab has no legal basis in the constitution and is a crime.
Since the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody the protest over hijab rule escalated. Many were arrested, and detained, but women refused to surrender. The Iranian police chief Ahmad Reza Radan announced the SMART program in April to identify women violating dress codes in public spaces. But women have rebelled to comply with the rules of the Iranian government even if it involves jail term.
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