Iran: Science Minister sacked as concern grows over anti-regime activities in universities

               

The Iranian regime's parliament on Wednesday sacked the Science Minister which had received vote of confidence last year.

In an impeached vote, 145 members voted against Reza Faraji Dana, while 110 opposed and 15 abstained.

Dana's ouster before anything else underscores the growing concern within the Iranian regime about the explosive situation within the universities as students demand freedom.

Members of parliament recently have expressed their concern about the increasing activities of students opposing the regime.

The head the Education and Research committee at the parliament said on Tuesday some students affiliated to the Iranian opposition, the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) have returned to the universities.

Mohammad Mehdi Zahedi said: "The Leader (Ali Khamenei) has said repeatedly on different occasions that the Science Ministry and universities should not be place for the political parties to be present."

A member of parliament warned that during the past year the PMOI (MEK) have distributed publications in the universities. He read a messages distributed among faculty and students condemning 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran.

Faraji Dana told the members of the Iranian regime that "the atmosphere in the universities are at its best, most possible secure and calm state." He claimed that "the students all believe in the principals of the system."

In October 2013, the MPs granted a vote of confidence to Faraji Dana after the lawmakers refused to qualify Hassan Rouhani’s initial nominee for the position.

Mohammad Ali Najafi was appointed was appointed caretaker of the ministry. He was the head of Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization until he resigned the post on 30 January 2014 due to health problems.