Chancellor of Tehran University to Change After December 7

Rooz Online

Even as news sources close to Hassan Rouhani’s administration spoke of the imminent removal of the chancellor of Tehran University Farhad Rahbar, media affiliated to the hardline conservatists in Iran wrote that he was firmly in his seat. The news of Rahbar’s discharge was initially posted on Rooz No website, close to Iran’s reformers, after which it was picked up by ISNA student news agency.

In a news report Rooz No had written, “Farhad Rahbar was removed as the chancellor of Tehran’s University by the minister of science and has been replaced with Dr Mohammad Rahimian.” This news report spread rapidly in the media and particularly online social media where it was welcomed until it was expressly rejected by Tasnim and Mehr news agencies, both closely tied to right wing politicians and groups. Tasnim, which is closely linked to the country’s security forces, published an interview with Mohammad Rahmanian, the supposedly new chancellor, who not only denied the removal of Rahbar but even said that he had not been offered the position either.

A few hours later, Mehr news agency jumped in and wrote, “While some media have published reports that Tehran University chancellor Farhad Rahbar has been replaced with Mohammad Rahimian, Mehr has learned through a very close contact of Rahbar and other Tehran University officials that the chancellor has in fact not been replaced and would be welcoming foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to the university. At the same time, Mehr’s investigation has uncovered that the news about Rahbar’s removal or resignation is not factual but a rumor. News sources have clarified that there are no plans to remove Rahbar from Tehran University.”

Following Mehr’s denial of the change at Tehran University, Rooz No published another report claiming that Farhad had indeed been removed but that the dismissal notice would be given to him after December 7, 2013, which is celebrated across Iran as student day to commemorate the death of three Tehran University students in December 7, 1953, who were protesting a resumption of Iran’s relations with Britain and Richard Nixon’s planned visit to Iran during the Pahlavi regime. On December 7, 2009, student demonstrations were widely held across Iran in protest to rigged presidential elections that reelected Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the presidency.

Quoting a close source to the minister of science Rooz No wrote, “The dismissal notice of Rahbar has been issued but will not be made official for certain reasons until after December 7. Dr Mohammad Rahimian has been selected as the new chancellor and his letter of appointment too will be announced on the same day.”

Raja News also had written earlier that Rahbar would leave Tehran University after December 7th. On Sunday, the site wrote, “It is reported that one of the reasons for Rahbar’s dismissal is because of his opposition to Mohammad Khatami’s visit to Tehran University for this year’s December 6 Student Day ceremony. Rahbar’s dismissal will be announced on December 7th.”

Two weeks ago, the chairman of the conservative Guardians Council Ahmad Janati strongly attacked Rahbar in his Friday prayer sermon, which brought forth a critical response from the government.

Meanwhile, conservatists in Iran have warned that minister of science Faraji Dana, whose ministry oversees the management of universities across Iran, planned to disrupt events at Tehran University. Dana himself has received threats from hardliners in the Majlis, calling for his resignation and they are staunchly against any changes to the leadership of Tehran University and have expressed fear that changes would result in unrest in the country. This contrasts with Rouhani’s election promises to change the securitized atmosphere of the country’s universities.

But this scuffle is yet another battle raging between those who want to soften the hand of the hardliners over the institutions of the country and those who are battling to preserve the status quo, and their hold on power.