The Fitilieh programme protests () started on 9 November 2015 after a segment of the children's television programme Fitileh, aired on 6 November on local state TV, depicted an Azeri speaking Iranian brushing his teeth with a toilet brush.
As a result, hundredsIran’s ethnic Azeris protest slur on TV program // The Washington Post. — 2015. — 9 November. of people participated in demonstrations in Tabriz, Urmia, Ardabil, Zanjan and Tehran.Azerbaijanis hold mass protests in Iran // APA. — 2015. — 9 November. Police in Iran clashed with protesting people and fired tear gas to disperse crowds, with protesters being arrested.Iran's Azeris protest over offensive TV show // BBC. — 2015. — 9 November. There were also protests held in front of Iranian embassies in Istanbul and Baku.
The head of the country’s state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) Mohammad Sarafraz apologized for airing the program. The broadcast of Fitilehha was cancelled, after 12 years of airing.Frud Bezhan. Azeris Hold Protests In Iran Over Racial Slur // Radio Free Europe. — 2015. — 9 November.
See also Iran newspaper cockroach cartoon controversy
References
Sources Frud Bezhan. Azeris Hold Protests In Iran Over Racial Slur // Radio Free Europe. — 2015. — 9 November. Iran’s ethnic Azeris protest slur on TV program // The Washington Post. — 2015. — 9 November. Iran's Azeris protest over offensive TV show // BBC. — 2015. — 9 November.