The real struggle in Iran

The recent demonstrations in Iran have attracted attention of the outside world as its outcome will determine the future shape of political system there. Mir Hossein Ali Mousavi, backed by some ex-Presidents, has refused to accept the results and charged Ahmadinejad with 'stealing' the elections. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has thrown his weight behind Ahmedinejad and urged the protestors to end their demonstrations which left 17 persons dead. Analysts have likened the present movement to uprisings culminating into 'velvet' and other 'colourful' revolutions in some of formerly communist societies after the break-up of USSR. The tumult ensuing declaration of Ahmedinejad's victory has, inter alia, crystallised the division among sections of Iranian society along contradictory lines of thinking.
In fact the real struggle in Iran can be understood by grasping the dynamics of tension between conservative and moderate forces. The conservatives, represented by Ahmedinejad, advocate a closed political system operating at the whims and caprices of religious authorities. They do not allow liberal democratic ideas which spread consciousness among people, creep in the society. On the other hand, the reformists' agenda includes openness of society and grant of political freedom to citizens.
Ahmedinejad's policies during his first regime went a long way in increasing the rift between two sides by fuelling disgruntlement among people against retrogressive system in vogue since 1979. The soaring inflation and unemployment rate alienated the youth and exacerbated the miseries of people. Second, he was allegedly involved in cronyism and political favouritism. The contracts worth billion of dollars were awarded to Islamic Revolution Guardian Corps (IRGC). Despite these revelations, the President strongly protested against his impeachment by Parliament.
Third, the Ahmedinejad government launched a crackdown on human rights defenders and denied to them universally recognised fundamental freedoms arbitrarily. The Baha'is in Iran, the country's largest religious minority, faced intense persecution and discrimination under Nejad's rule and in 2008 seven leaders hailing from this community were arrested on charges of espionage for Israel and spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic.