"The Study of Left Student Currents in Iran during the 2000s : A Case Study of Khak Journal and the DAB Group"

In the 2000s, leftist student movements, despite their limited scope, gained a notable presence in Iranian universities and influenced the intellectual and political atmosphere of campuses through gatherings, sit-ins, and an emphasis on Marxist praxis. The central questions of this study are: under what conditions did these movements emerge, what trajectory did their activities follow, and why did they ultimately face stagnation and decline? The findings indicate that factors such as an emphasis on Marxist praxis, tactical alliances with Islamic associations, the growing student population, and the relatively open political climate after the presidential election of 1997 facilitated their rise and influence. Conversely, the widespread arrests of December 2007 and internal schisms led to weakened cohesion and the eventual decline of these movements. Employing a descriptive-analytical method and drawing on library sources, interviews, statements, articles by former leftist activists, and internet searches, this study analyzes publications (such as Khak), organizations (such as the Dab group), key splits (labor-oriented and radical left), as well as their interactions with the Office for Strengthening Unity.