Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Challenge of change: On the realities in Iran and the need for reforms

Challenge of change: On the realities in Iran and the need for reforms

Iran must opt for reforms (सुधार) and freedoms, especially for its women

The remark by Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that poisoning schoolgirls is an “unforgivable crime” is a de facto (वास्तव में) confirmation of reports that thousands of girls across the Islamic Republic have been subject to poison attacks over the last few months. The first such incident (घटना) was reported in November in the holy city of Qom, amidst women’s protests that were triggered (Cause to happen) by the death of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the infamous (कुख्यात, बदनाम) morality police. Since then, thousands of girls in at least 25 of Iran’s 31 provinces were reportedly affected by poison attacks. Initially there were two theories, with the first suggesting that it could be an act by religious extremists (अतिवादी, चरमपंथी) opposed to girls attending schools and the second, that psychological factors could be the reason, at least in some cases. Mr. Khamenei’s comment suggests that the authorities are seriously considering the possibility of chemical poisoning. The reports have created panic, triggering protests in many parts of the country, probably prompting (प्रेरित करना) the Supreme Leader to make the statement. Mr. Khamenei said on Monday that the regime (प्रशासन) would not spare whoever was responsible But on the same day, reports emerged (To come into view) of the arrest of the Qom journalist, Ali Pourtabatabaei, who reported on the poisoning.

Iran, unlike Afghanistan under the Taliban, does not have a history of preventing girls from attending schools. After the Islamic revolution of 1979, the regime imposed (थोपना, लगाना) restrictions on women, but encouraged their education and joining the workforce. According to the World Bank, female literacy rose from 26% in 1976 to 85% in 2021. For more than a decade, women have consistently outnumbered (To exceed in number) men in Iran’s universities. Given this history, it is surprising that schoolgirls are being targeted, something which did not happen even at the peak of the revolution. Therefore, such incidents should jolt the authorities into action. It may not be a coincidence that the targeting of schoolgirls occurs at a time when thousands of women, including schoolgirls, have been demanding more freedoms. The regime’s response has been brutal. But the Mullahs should realise that if the economic and social crises persist, they would further weaken a regime that is already seeing waves of protests. In a growing chasm between the country’s youth and its ageing revolutionaries (क्रांतिकारी), incidents such as the poison attacks would only worsen the situation. The regime should bring those responsible to justice. But the bigger problem is the lack of reforms within Iran’s system and the widening cracks between the state and society. The wave of protests is as much a challenge to the regime as it is an opportunity to drive political reforms. The Mullahs should embrace (गले से लगाना, अंगीकार करना) the latter to address the former.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Reform (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - सुधार
English Meaning - The action or process of reforming an institution or practice.

2.De facto (Adverb)

Hindi Meaning - वास्तव में
English Meaning - Actually existing, especially when without lawful authority.

3.Incident (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - घटना
English Meaning - An event or occurrence.

4.Infamous (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - कुख्यात, बदनाम
English Meaning - Well-known for something bad.

5.Extremist (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - अतिवादी, चरमपंथी
English Meaning - If someone is described as extremist, they are being disapproved of, because they try to bring political change by extreme methods.

6.Prompt (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - प्रेरित करना
English Meaning - (of an event or fact) cause or bring about (an action or feeling).

7.Regime (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रशासन
English Meaning - A system of government.

8.Impose (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - थोपना, लगाना
English Meaning - Force (something unwelcome or unfamiliar) to be accepted or put in place.

9.Revolutionary (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - क्रांतिकारी
English Meaning - A person who takes part in a revolution.

10.Embrace (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - गले से लगाना, अंगीकार करना
English Meaning - Hold (someone) closely in one's arms

11.Trigger (Verb)

English Meaning - Cause to happen.

12.Emerge (Verb)

English Meaning - To come into view.

13.Outnumber (Verb)

English Meaning - To exceed in number.