Protests over rising prices spread across Iran as students join demonstrations
Tehran: Protests triggered by Iran’s worsening economic conditions spread to universities and commercial centres on Tuesday. Students joined shopkeepers and traders in demonstrations against soaring prices and the sharp fall of the national currency, according to semi-official media reports.
The unrest comes as the Iranian rial hit a record low, sliding to around 1.4 million against the US dollar on the open market, according to a Reuters. The currency has lost nearly half its value this year, while inflation reached 42.5 per cent in December, official data showed.
Semi-official Fars News Agency reported that hundreds of students staged protests at four universities in Tehran. Footage verified by Reuters showed groups of demonstrators marching through streets in the capital, chanting slogans, while state television broadcast images of gatherings in central areas of the city.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said late on Monday that he had instructed the interior minister to engage with protesters and listen to what he described as their legitimate demands. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said authorities would set up a dialogue mechanism that could include talks with protest leaders.
“We officially recognise the protests. We hear the voices of the people and understand that these demonstrations stem from pressure on livelihoods,” Mohajerani said in remarks carried by state media.
On social media platforms, several Iranians expressed support for the protests, warning that public anger over rising prices, corruption and economic inequality could spread further across the country.
Iran’s economy has been under strain for years following the reimposition of US sanctions in 2018 after Washington withdrew from the international nuclear agreement. United Nations sanctions were reinstated in September, and Reuters reported in October that senior officials had held multiple meetings to discuss ways to prevent economic collapse and manage public discontent.
President Pezeshkian, speaking at a meeting with trade unions and market representatives on Tuesday, said the government would make efforts to address economic grievances and ease concerns faced by workers and traders, according to state media.
On Monday, Iran’s central bank chief resigned, with local media linking the move to pressure on the currency market following recent economic liberalisation policies.
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₹5.30 crore job scam busted in Bengaluru; family of three among accused
Bengaluru: A major job fraud case involving ₹5.30 crore has come to light in Bengaluru, where a family of three and their associates allegedly cheated more than 20 job aspirants by promising government employment using fake political influence, The New Indian Express reported on Wednesday.
According to police, the accused posed as influential political office-bearers and claimed close connections with ministers, legislators and senior government officials to gain the confidence of victims.
According to a police complaint filed by Sangamesh Rachaiah Vastrada (40), who hails from Vijapura, he was introduced to Shamshad Begum, who claimed to be the general secretary of the Women’s Wing of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. She introduced her father, Mansoor Ahmed, as a joint secretary of Congress.
The accused allegedly assured the complainant that they could secure Group D and other government jobs in various departments in exchange for money. The complainant introduced them to 14 other candidates.
Police said the accused collected ₹56 lakh in cash, promising jobs in the water resources, health and social welfare departments. Fake examination hall tickets were issued, and candidates were told they would appear for a “special examination” after the regular recruitment tests. Later, the accused claimed the candidates would be accommodated under government backlog vacancies.
Shamshad Begum allegedly produced forged identity cards and documents, claiming she was a member of the Airport Advisory Committee. She also assured victims of jobs in the Railways as ticket collectors and commercial clerks. Seven candidates allegedly paid ₹2.56 crore through online transfers, following which fake appointment letters were emailed to them.
The accused conducted fake training sessions for three months in Kolkata, followed by another three months near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai. In a separate instance, ₹30 lakh was allegedly collected from another candidate by promising tax assistant’s post in Income Tax Department.
Investigators said Shamshad Begum, her father Mansoor Ahmed, her sister Shamee Begum and their associates collected a total of ₹5.30 crore through cash and online transfers between July and October 2023.
An FIR has been registered against five accused, and further investigation is underway, police said.
