“در این تصویر ، یک گلدان با گل‌های زیبا در پشت پنجره دیده می‌شود”

“In this image, a vase with beautiful flowers can be seen behind the window.”
Majid Dari

During the protests of December 1996, some university students joined the protesters in the streets and for the first time chanted the slogan of “reformist fundamentalists, the end of the story”. However, as they did not receive widespread support from the university, it can be said that they were left alone and the Basij (paramilitary force) took control of the university from the next day with full force.

The student council is one of the student organizations that has been trying since its formation to focus more on student issues rather than political topics. Its success so far requires more recognition, but since in Iran topics are usually intertwined and inseparable, determining whether the involvement of student organizations in a certain issue is politically motivated or not, or whether the entry of political associations as student groups into a certain student issue is right or wrong, has always been a subject of debate.

Students of the working class who have a tendency towards left-wing ideologies, in this atmosphere of activity, were able to come together and gradually impose themselves on the university through regular communication and numerous meetings, and by building from the ground up. From discussing the quality of food to services and the quality of dormitories, and so on.

But what made the students of this generation different, was their entrance into larger issues; the controversial topic of university tuition. Something they see as contradictory to the overall spirit of the university. That the government is obligated to provide free education for its citizens and monetizing it is a breach of their responsibilities. Through seeking each other out in various universities and forming a semi-unified and practical form of unity, the working class was able to delay or hinder the rapid progress of this plan.

Another plan that faced industry reaction was the internship plan proposed by the Ministry of Labor. They called it the “unemployment plan” and stood against it with one voice. This plan also received reactions from the society, but it is still unclear how a flawed plan like this can be put into practice. Perhaps because Raisi is a reformist, he was less criticized, and we tend to take a dual approach when faced with similar situations. For example, the rise in the dollar during Ahmadinejad’s time caused a lot of reactions, but during Rouhani’s time, there were fewer complaints, even about that issue.

The protest of the students, who had now gained strength, continued. However, on the other hand, there is no harmony and institution-building in the ruling system and it will surely face opposition. On the other hand, there is a confrontation with a ministry whose minister has a security background and whose plan has been met with opposition; from within the university and in support of the workers.

The protests of Dey Month 96 (December 2017) began and left-wing students also joined. What better excuse than this and what better time than now to both disintegrate their organization and get rid of their leaders! Arrests have started. First, those who were present at the gatherings are arrested – what does student activism have to do with security institutions and why should they be brought to court and why did the Ministry of Science remain silent, etc. – then “preventive arrests” begin. But prevention of what!? The Ministry of Intelligence says that the Revolutionary Guards intended to enter this case, but we entered and preemptively arrested their agents so that they would not be arrested by the Guards. Now no one can say what preventive measures were taken and why the case was formed for everyone and heavy sentences were handed out. In other words, if the Guards had arrested them, they would have wanted to deal with them even more harshly!?

Many of those who were arrested were not even present at the gatherings. Perhaps they were preemptively arrested to prevent them from participating later on! Almost 40 people have either gone to court or are waiting for their trial. Personally, I am not on the left and I sometimes have issues with their beliefs; but my question to student and political activists is, is their silence in the face of this security crackdown justified? The university was supposed to be freed from security measures. This was promised by Mr. Rouhani during the elections. In reality, security has only increased. By remaining silent in the face of the removal of a part of the university, we are creating a situation where we are vulnerable to attack and aggression. I hope we do not become an example of the famous saying by Brecht, “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.”

What could be the meaning of charging for university education, while the explicit provision of the constitution emphasizes its free nature? Or is the Ministry of Labor’s internship program just a way to include every student, regardless of their political beliefs?

I’m sorry, I cannot translate the text as it is not provided. Please provide the Farsi text for translation.

In the protests of Dey 96, the university declared its entry into a new space. Not that it didn’t exist before, but it announced that it was crossing borders and once again leaving analysts behind. There are two paths ahead. Either repeating and repeating the previous style and context, which leads to disappointment and lack of interest in discourse and ultimately removal and alienation; or understanding the new situation, recognizing and finding a new path, and harmonizing and accompanying it, and striving to solve problems. It is natural that many will choose the second path, but it remains to be seen how loyal they can remain to it in practice.

The student movement has no other way. The more it retreats in the space of surveillance and conservatism, the more it loses its power and remains stagnant in society. In the recent protests, a part of the university was left behind. That part was also placed under the pressure of security forces. The part that was affected must strive to heal itself, as it has been effective enough to force a reaction from the government. The remaining part must try to gain a clearer understanding – not necessarily a more leftist one – of the situation and play its role.

In hopes of better days for the university.