In Chase and Escape (2)
Rereading the book "Consistent with Freedom", the Memories of Seyyed Mohammad Mehdi Jafari in five episodes
On Bazargan, Taleghani and Sahabi in the Palace
Episode II: Detention
Serge Barseghian: "We were in the Ghasr Prison from the beginning of Nowruz (Persian new year, mid-March) to October 27. [Then,] from October 29 to January 7, I was in the Borazjan Fort. On January 9, I was taken to Yazd Prison and I'm still here," reads the last page of Dr Seyyed Mohammad Mehdi Jafari's personal Bank Melli diary written in the last day of 1344 (March 20, 1966). The last page of his diary in 1345 (March 20, 1967) was written in Ghasr Prison, two weeks after the death of Mohammad Mosadegh in Ahmadabad and two months prior to Jafari's release on May 3, 1367. "Today, after 1440 days of captivity, I am freed with Messrs Ezatollah Sahabi and Abolfazl Hakimi." Part II of Jafari's first memoir (Abreast with Freedom) comprises his detention memoirs during the 1964-1967 period. However his diary in 1963 is not very orderly, his writings during the next three years are considered a vital reference to the history of the Islamic Revolution. His notes contain the daily review of Ghasr Prison and Borazjan events, the complete list of the political detainees, their convictions and sentences, besides the interview of Ghasem Yahusseini ( the book's compiler) with Jafari. At that time, Jafari was just 24 and the youngest convicted member of the Freedom Movement being tried. His prison memoirs associate several figures like Ayatollah Taleghani, Mehdi Bazargan, Yadollah Sahabi, Mohammad Hanifnezhad, etc. Ghasr Prison was checked by the police and the mentioned figures were in custody of SAVAK, and the rivalry between the two forces, gave the prisoners freedom of action to run the prison like a council; many courses were held in the jail: Dr Sheibani taught French and had three classes a day, Jafari conducted two or three Arabic courses a day, and Taleghani and Bazargan had series of lectures. Moreover, Jafari translated Arabic texts in the prison (his first book was Islamic Training Method by Mohammad Ghotb), and assisted Bazargan in completion of two of his books (Wind and Rain in Quran and Evolution of the Quran). Even the original idea of Dr Shahabi's Human Creation (a book on human evolution theories) was conceived in Borazjan Fort and was consummated in Tehran with consultations from Ayatollah Taleghani on its Quranic and religious aspects. Principally, the book deals with the trial of the Freedom Movement leaders and what happened in the court; it included almost everything like Taleghani's refusal to rise (for not recognizing the court) and shorthand of the convicts and advocates' defenses by Jafari and Abbas Sheybani as well as the statements made by court officials. One of the most interesting parts of Jafari's daily notes in the prison is where the prosecutor questions the title of the movement in the 61st trial session of its members on June 20, 1964. "The word Iran's Freedom Movement is a crime by itself," he expostulated, "so far as movement means campaign and freedom is anti-servitude; which means campaign for liberation of Iran….. ! Iran is free, and no campaign can free it. A campaign must be ethics-oriented. Dr Sheybani should work in the leprosy clinic and other heads of the movement should go watering Imam Hussein mourners (ironically, twiddle their thumbs, translator)." In the following day, Colonel Ghafari, Bazargan's advocate and Hakimi responded the prosecutor's remarks: "If the Freedom Movement is a crime, them women's freedom is a crime just like Shah's Men freedom is. The democrat and republic parties of the US are also criminal because the US has both republicans and democrats." During the June 28 trial, Bazargan voiced his strong defense: We are the ones who fortified the constitutional monarch and the Constitution. From now on, should there be any such trials, they will have to face the real and plain regime opposers' front." After Bazargan, Dr Sahabi made his final defense to the prosecutor saying, "If the movement's title is a crime then many should be tried for making the Independence Party."
Translated by: Abbas Hajihashemi
Source: Mehrnameh Monthly, No. 5
Number of Visits: 4069
The latest
Most visited
Attack on Halabcheh narrated
With wet saliva, we are having the lunch which that loving Isfahani man gave us from the back of his van when he said goodbye in the city entrance. Adaspolo [lentils with rice] with yoghurt! We were just started having it when the plane dives, we go down and shelter behind the runnel, and a few moments later, when the plane raises up, we also raise our heads, and while eating, we see the high sides ...The Arab People Committee
Another event that happened in Khuzestan Province and I followed up was the Arab People Committee. One day, we were informed that the Arabs had set up a committee special for themselves. At that time, I had less information about the Arab People , but knew well that dividing the people into Arab and non-Arab was a harmful measure.Kak-e Khak
The book “Kak-e Khak” is the narration of Mohammad Reza Ahmadi (Haj Habib), a commander in Kurdistan fronts. It has been published by Sarv-e Sorkh Publications in 500 copies in spring of 1400 (2022) and in 574 pages. Fatemeh Ghanbari has edited the book and the interview was conducted with the cooperation of Hossein Zahmatkesh.Is oral history the words of people who have not been seen?
Some are of the view that oral history is useful because it is the words of people who have not been seen. It is meant by people who have not been seen, those who have not had any title or position. If we look at oral history from this point of view, it will be objected why the oral memories of famous people such as revolutionary leaders or war commanders are compiled.
