The month of December 2006 witnessed several student demonstrations in Iranian universities. The students are demanding an independent and democratic university administration. In recent months, the Government has forced out several faculty members and administrators who are not religiously conservative enough, or do not wish to follow the strict Islamic policies that are being imposed.

Significantly, during a speech by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the Ami Kabir University, students went out of their way to chant anti-Ahmadinejad slogans, calling him a dictator, chanting "death to the dictator," and burning his pictures. The executive branch accused domestic opposition and "foreign agents" for the troubles.

As in the past, students could not sustain these protests beyond a few days and they again failed to make the movement national in character. The public also remained on the sideline as did the pro-democracy groups and parties in the country. The exile opposition tried to use the occasion but it also failed to make any noticeable headway.

Student movements in Iran have ever been paralyzed because of their disconnection with the general public and political opposition as well as their narrow focus on freedom and the independence of the universities. The public is also not convinced that the younger generations are prepared for the larger tasks of national development, security and reconciliation.