Iranian Candidate's Use of Protest Song in Campaign Sparks Backlash

'Reformist' presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian's use of an iconic song from Iran's nationwide protests in his presidential campaign has sparked backlash on social media.

Critics assert that while Pezeshkian slammed the protests, dubbed Woman, Life, Freedom, he has appropriated the movement's song, “Baraye,” for his own political gain.

The demonstrations, lasting for months, began in the wake of the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody, resulting in over 550 deaths.

In 2022, Pezeshkian condemned the demonstrations as orchestrated acts of hostility, blaming America and Europe for igniting Iran's worst uprising since the founding of the Islamic Republic.

Singer-songwriter Shervin Hajipour, honored with the Grammy's Best Song for Social Change in 2023 for "Baraye," was sentenced to more than three years in prison for incitement and provocation to disturb national security through his music.

He is one of dozens of artists imprisoned or levied with the likes of work bans, bank account freezes and travel bans for supporting the protests.

“Dear Mr. Pezeshkian, using Shervin's song this way may cost you votes because you were indifferent to the Woman Life Freedom movement,” a user wrote on X.

“Mr. Pezeshkian, please don’t use “Baraye” for the clerical establishment. It belongs to the people, not them,” another user wrote on X.

Critics on social media also highlighted Pezeshkian's silence on Hajipour's sentence.

US officials, including First Lady Jill Biden, praised the song as a powerful advocate for freedom and women's rights, underscoring its potential to inspire societal change.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller condemned Hajipour's sentence as indicative of Iran's broader crackdown on dissenting voices.

When released, the song "Baraye" gained immense popularity. Within two days, it swiftly amassed over 40 million views on Shervin’s Instagram.

The Persian word “Baraye”٬ meaning “for …” or “for the sake of” punctuates each line of the song, crafted from a mosaic of Iranian tweets lamenting societal challenges: "For dancing in the streets; for fear of kissing; for the students and their future," and "for women, life, freedom."

While Pezeshkian is the only reform candidate among the six final candidates in the upcoming snap elections on June 28, he has grown increasingly more conservative in a bid to win the coveted presidential seat.