Despite being the largest student organization in Iran, Daftar Tahkim Vahdat was recently declared illegal by the government. Rooz spoke with one of its leading member, Bahareh Hedayat regarding the growing pressure on students, its causes and consequences, and also the forthcoming tenth presidential elections. Road on for the conversation.
Rooz (R): During the last three and a half years pressure on students and their organizations has increased alarmingly. What do you think of this?
Bahareh Hedayat (BH): In addition to the oppressive measures and crackdowns of universities during these three years, and the bans on continuing education imposed on students, pressure on students and institutions of higher education have been increasing because of the proximity of the presidential elections in June. Organizations and student groups can undoubtedly impact the outcome of the elections in the next future by raising their demands. And this is not something that the government can control or contain. Therefore, the intensity of suppressive measures over these groups is growing at an incredible pace so that instead of tracking the political and civil events in the country and debating real issues and demands during the election atmosphere, these groups will be busy defending themselves so that authorities can advance their domestic and foreign policies without much nuisance.
R: How do you view the impact of pressure on Daftar Tahkim Vahdat vis-à-vis student desire to engage in political activity in the universities?
BH: If the goal of this pressure was to end the political activism of critics and dissenters, then it as clearly not produced the desired effect. If that was the case then there would have been no need to continue and expand the crackdown of student activists. But if the purpose was to create apathy and hopelessness over reforming the government, then one must unfortunately say that they have partly succeeded in this. But because the universities witness fresh generations in cycles, no matter how much these pressure on students and student activism increase, there are always fresh and spirited generations who take over the task of the earlier ones and continue the path. So there is really no concern in this regard.
R: Which of the government’s measures are most disturbing and concerning?
BH: More than anything else one must foremost be concerned about the government’s efforts to change the student and teacher mix at all the country’s universities. For example, one must be concerned about the allocation of a 40 percent quota in the student body set for para-military Basij through which the supporters of the government wish to take over the institutions. Also, the forced retirement of teachers on charges of being free thinkers is also something to be concerned about which in reality is a hidden form of purges underway to clear the schools of elite and effective thinkers. One must also be concerned about the measures under way to limit the continuation of education for critical and protesting students. These measures target student elite and aim at reducing the number of such students to their minimum at the Master and PhD levels. These are some of the key cornerstones of the ninth government’s measures at the universities which should be of concern and alarm for all those who love this country.
R: How do you see the future of Daftar Tahkim Vahdat?
BH: We see our legitimacy in representing the demands and protests of the students. So long as these demands and criticism exists, Daftar shall continue its peaceful work within the confines of law as part of the student movement and in practice as the only critical voice that is left in the universities. Ignoring Daftar, or as the officials of the Ministry of Science (which in Iran oversees the activities of universities and their students) like to call it “not recognizing” the student organization, will neither end the demands of the students nor eliminate these students. Authorities have no choice but to listen to our calls and address our issues. Oppression and crackdown will only lead to a revolt and will catch up with those who engage in such measures.
