Iranian singer sentenced to 74 lashes for performing a song without a hijab !

(A hijab is a garment worn by Muslim women to cover the head and neck.)

Parastu Ahmadi

Tehran (Iran) – An Iranian singer has been sentenced to 74 lashes for performing a song without wearing a hijab. The couple has also been banned from leaving Iran for two years and prohibited from giving musical performances for two years.

The singer, 29-year-old Parastu Ahmadi, was punished for not wearing a hijab during a livestream performance. An Iranian court also convicted eight members of the production team associated with the programme, including musicians. Human rights groups and artists around the world have condemned the decision.

The case pertains to a musical programme held in December 2024. During the programme, Ahmadi sang a patriotic song without wearing a hijab. The programme was broadcast through her YouTube channel. After it was aired, Ahmadi and several musicians were taken into custody. They were later released.

The decision to punish the Iranian singer is being criticised around the world. Bahar Gandehari, Director of the US-based ‘Center for Human Rights in Iran’, said that such a punishment is a reminder that there has been no change whatsoever in the human rights situation in Iran.

Editorial Perspective

Where have the women's rights activists, who shouted themselves hoarse day and night over the prohibition on women's entry into the Sabarimala temple, disappeared now ? Or is women's rights merely a mask for them and their real agenda opposition to Hindu Dharma ?