Tehran silent on jailed scholar, Delhi colleagues step up efforts to free him

Concerned over the fate of one of its distinguished scholars jailed by Tehran, the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies has decided to convene a series of meetings to decide the next course of action.

Concerned over the fate of one of its distinguished scholars jailed by Tehran, the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) has decided to convene a series of meetings to decide the next course of action.

In a letter to Iranian President Ahmadinejad last month, the CSDS expressed concern over the arrest of Ramin Jahanbegloo who’s the Rajni Kothari Chair Professor at the institute. A renowned political philosopher, Jahanbegloo was jailed for his “foreign contacts” shortly after a visit to India.

“We have not received any reply to our letter sent to the President through the Iranian Embassy here. Some other measures may be required. That will be decided this week,” said R K Srivastava, officiating director of CSDS.

Srivastava said that the Ministry of External Affairs would be consulted on the steps that would be needed and that the CSDS would inform the Ministry of its decision.

The matter assumes importance since Jahanbegloo was arrested soon after his return from a six month teaching programme in Delhi. He has written extensively on non-violence and Mahatma Gandhi and was trying to set up a civilisational dialogue between India and Iran.

The CSDS is of the opinion that the activities of Jahanbegloo were in the “public domain” without any “secrecy” and, therefore, there was no possibility of him indulging in any kind of activity that would be detrimental to Iran.