Protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini are erupting in all corners of the world and even Bengaluru saw a group of women chopping their hair at Freedom Park on Saturday in solidarity with the women in Iran. Cutting hair in Persian culture is part of a mourning ritual.
“It was a gathering in memory of all the women who got killed in the Iran protests in the last one month,” said Bahar, an Iranian woman who organised the event in the city. “Almost every day since Mahsa Amini was killed a month ago, there have been continuous protests in Iran. More than 280 people have been killed as a result, out of which so many were young girls – students barely 16 or 17 years old.”
"Basically, the gathering was in memory of the lives lost and in support of the freedom movement which is currently happening."
Women who cut bits of their hair knelt before a memorial set up to honour all the lives lost in Iran due to the protests. Pictures of women who lost their lives, posters depicting the current scenario back in Iran, and messages were placed all around, to raise awareness.
“You know that letting your hair blow in the wind is a crime in Iran," read one hand-painted poster. Later, they walked around the Iranian flag that had Amini's picture in the centre, carrying the posters.
“Unlike the protests planned earlier, there was no resistance from the cops this time; in fact, they were rather supportive,” said Bahar.
--Devika V Menon
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