Iran's Intensified Purge Of Dissident Professors Sparks Concerns

Iran's ongoing crackdown on dissenting academics has seen two prominent literature professors from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad expelled.

Mahshid Gohari Kakhaki, a distinguished literature PhD holder and lecturer at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, known for her published works, and Mersedeh Eslami, a dedicated literature graduate and lecturer, were the latest victims of the recent wave of suspensions and expulsions just weeks into the new academic year.

It is the second time they have been expelled, the literature department overturning the decision once before, but this time, it was unable to fight the university's final decision.

In a joint statement published on Monday, the two professors expressed their shock, stating, "We hadn't even set foot in our classrooms, let alone the chance to ignite the flames of awareness and knowledge, when we received the disheartening news of our collaboration being terminated once again."

The dismissals occurred without prior notification, raising concerns and further unsettling the academic community. The alarming move comes in the wake of widespread national demonstrations, ignited by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini during her detention by morality police in September 2022.

The protests have led to the removal of dozens of academics, with student councils denouncing it as part of a broader initiative to "purify universities across the nation." The move has the blessing of hardliners in the government and parliament, who call the dismissal of educators and state employees "purification".