At a time when the president has failed, or has not wanted, to lift the securitized atmosphere in the country and has not succeeded in stopping the military-men from interfering in the political and cultural affairs as a way to uphold the civil rights of the Iranian people, his first deputy, Eshagh Jahangiri, last week complained that none of the administration’s supporters have provided any help to it.

Many observers believe that when during his 2013 presidential campaign Hassan Rouhani stressed on the people’s rights, and especially the implementation of the third chapter of the constitution (which deals with people’s rights), and addressed the ambitious military-men during his nationally televised debates with the sentence, “I am a jurisprudent, not a colonel,” he in fact paved his path to the presidency.

But in the last two years unfortunately the president has not kept his promises. The majority of people have been relegated to mere “voters,” pushing them to the background. This push back rises from historic precedents in this country where politicians and statesmen routinely ignore the potential power of the masses and instead put their hopes into outcomes of closed-door political meetings. These days too, it seems that the administration has put all its hope and attention on reaching an international agreement regarding the nuclear issue.

In situations where a government underestimates the power of the masses and views people merely as a cosmetic element in politics it is normal for activists and the invigorated to withdraw and sit back rather than remain active. When they are not allowed to participate in events that shape their destiny, they retire and go home. This situation becomes more disheartening when a small group of diehard activists remains in the field, in spite of the government’s disregard, speaks out and continues to promote civil rights and due process single handedly. But then they too are put under pressure by regressive powerful circles who push even Majlis deputies to remain silent in parliament.

In response to the complaints by the president’s deputy, one must be weary of what can an independent activist or a member of a popular group do when people’s true representatives such as Ali Motahari lack physical and personal safety, when others like Ali Yunesi (the president’ senior advisor) are prevented from giving a public speech, and when still others like Hassan Khomeini (the grandson of the founder of the Islamic revolution) are threatened against appearing in public gatherings, and all along political and law enforcement officials are incapable of guaranteeing the safety and security of legal gatherings. How can one expect individuals single handedly come into the open to defend the administration or its activities in an atmosphere where even the strongest are intimidated.

How can one complain about the public under these circumstances? When the government itself does not take advantage of its massive support, what can a single person do?

One needs to ask Mr. Eshagh Jahangiri, who is the connecting link between the administration and the reformers and those who support the Green Movement, when was assistance even asked. One should not forget that the leaders of the groups that supported this administration, many of whom are still in prison, have avoided pressuring the administration even on things it has itself promised to deliver.

How could the president’s supporters be faulted for “supporting” the president in the initial days of the presidency and then “remaining silent” today when the administration has “forgotten” the calls, needs and dreams of the very people who voted to bring it to office?

Rooz online