Hashd al-Shaabi at Tehran University; Students: 'It is a military invasion of the university'

Student activists at Tehran University reacted to the acceptance of Hashd al-Shaabi forces as students at the university, describing this action as a 'military invasion' following the 'monopolization' of the academic environment. According to the Coordination Council of Cultural Teachers' Associations of Iran, the student activists stated in their declaration: 'We have previously seen so-called affiliated professors and militia members sitting on usurped chairs, with their hands in the pockets of the big brother, but it seems that this was not enough for the monopolization of the university atmosphere, and now we must witness a military invasion of the university.' The student activists further asserted that the university has been emptied of students through elimination, suspension, and repression, and now they are replacing us with borrowed forces from Iraqi military groups, stating: 'Commodity education, commercial entrance exams, and political quotas have even discouraged and incapacitated the underprivileged and laborers from entering the university, and now they are replacing military forces with students.' In their declaration, these students emphasized: 'In the twilight of Tehran University's history, we have moved from the singers of the anthem of academic independence to subservients who are paving the way for military despotism through fire management. The presence of these individuals as university managers has no result other than the continuation of the cycle of disasters and crises, and today we know that in the mental world of these gentlemen, we have neither the right to education nor the right to live.' The student activists concluded their declaration by stressing that 'we do not accept the presence of military forces in the university, whether in combat uniforms or in academic attire, and we will resist against it,' adding: 'We will not allow the name of Tehran University to be tarnished any further by the foolishness and stupidity of greedy sellouts and courtiers, and in this twilight, we promise a bright tomorrow that awaits us with our resistance, steadfastness, and perseverance. Therefore, we will not sit idly by, we will not allow you to erase and deny the rights of equality-seekers and freedom-lovers.' On July 9, the Tasnim news agency reported the meeting of the 'Deputy of Education and Training of Hashd al-Shaabi' with the President, the International Deputy, and a number of Basij professors at Tehran University, stating that the President of Tehran University welcomed the request for the continuation of studies of 'Hashd al-Shaabi brothers' at this university, saying: 'We consider scientific interaction with Iraqi brothers, especially the Mujahideen of Hashd al-Shaabi, to be in line with the interactive model of martyrs Soleimani and al-Muhandis and welcome the request for the continuation of studies of Hashd al-Shaabi brothers at Tehran University.'