We have spoken to Dr. Mohammad Maleki, the Tehran University’s first president after the 1979 Revolution, about 18 Tir [Iranian date corresponding to the student uprising of July 8, 2001].

Rooz (R): What were the roots of the 18 Tir confrontation, in your opinion?

Mohammad Maleki (MM): University students played a crucial role in the development and eventual success of the revolution. It is not fair for the clergy to take all of the credit. After the revolution, the clerics first focused on modern institutions, such as universities. After shutting down the universities [during the cultural revolution], they were able to control them for 10-12 years. But as a new generation of students replaced the older ones around 1992-1993, the sound of discontent began to rise out of the university again. In 1997 it forced a change on the regime. I mean the contribution of university students was clear and obvious in Mr. Khatami’s victory. But despite his promises and slogans, which riled up the students, Mr. Khatami chose to be safe and eventually abandoned the students. Hence, 18 Tir was the evolution of students’ quest for liberty, which was met with the regime’s violence.

R: Do you think that all elements in the regime supported suppressing students?

MM: Certainly. Mr. Khatami had come to strengthen and stabilize the regime. This was proven time and again. He had come to implement some minor reforms. It was natural for a cleric who had held many managerial and executive positions in the regime to not address the needs of students.

R: We saw in 18 Tir that people came to the streets in support of students. What would have happened if this trend had continued?

MM: I don’t know what would have happened. But don’t forget that students had rational demands, and their goal was not to create anarchy. Some had infiltrated the students to cause anarchy and give the regime an excuse to violently confront the students.

R: It seems as if students have forgotten about 18 Tir. Do you think they no longer want to think about 18 Tir, or has the regime played a role in this?

MM: We can’t say that students have forgotten about their resistance, because right now there are several imprisoned and starred students that are being punished for their resistance. But the government is also actively undermining 18 Tir. For instance, we saw that the trial of some of the thugs accused of beating the students ended with the release of the defendants and the imprisonment of students and their attorneys. One of these students died in prison, while the suppressors are still free. On the other hand, university officials schedule the exams such that students leave the campus before 18 Tir. From 2001 until now, every year they shut down the campus around 18 Tir for some reason, and from a month or two before 18 Tir they step up their pressure on student activists. There are many examples, you see a news report every day. Recall that the building belonging to Amir Kabir University’s Islamic Student Association was bulldozed to the ground. Students are not fighting less; the problems and obstacles are just overwhelming.