A new form of protest has emerged in Iran, a viral dance craze set to an upbeat folk song that has captivated the nation. People of all ages, both men and women, are dancing in the streets, shops, stadiums, classrooms, restaurants, and other public spaces. In a country where dancing especially in public and between men and women is banned, this act of public dancing has become a symbolic protest for freedom and happiness.
The movement began in the city of Rasht, when an old man named Sadegh Bana Motejaded started dancing and performing a traditional folk song at a fish market. Since then, the police have made multiple arrests and attempted to suppress this popular form of protest. The old man was even purportedly detained and accused of instigating against the government.
However, the crackdown has only backfired, with people across Iran posting videos of themselves dancing to the song in defiance. The public outrage has reached a level where Iranian officials are now beginning to retract their actions against the dancers and are claiming that the man behind the dance protest was never even arrested.
One man’s spontaneous dance protest has turned into a powerful public display of resistance and has caused demands for change across the country. Even the Asia Football Confederation’s official Farsi page has posted a video compilation of Iranian soccer stars and teams dancing to the song, reflecting the sweeping effect of this dance protest.