The use of an iconic song from the nationwide protests in Iran by “reformist” presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian in his presidential campaign has sparked strong reactions on social media.
While Pezeshkian sharply criticized the protests with the song “Woman, Life, Freedom,” he misused the movement’s song, “Baraye,” for his own political purposes, while the movement’s singer-songwriter remains in prison.
The months-long demonstrations began after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody and claimed over 550 lives.
In 2022, Pezeshkian condemned the demonstrations as orchestrated acts of hostility and blamed America and Europe for sparking the worst uprising in Iran since the founding of the Islamic Republic.
Singer-songwriter Shervin Hajipourwho won the 2023 Grammy for Best Song for Social Change for “Baraye,” was detained earlier this year. He was sentenced to more than three years in prison and convicted of inciting and provoking the disruption of national security through his music.
He is one of dozens of artists who have been detained or banned from working, having their bank accounts frozen or being banned from traveling because of their support for the protests.
“Dear Mr. Pezeshkian, using Shervin’s song in this way could cost you votes because you were indifferent to the Woman Life Freedom movement,” wrote one user on X.
“Mr. Pezeshkian, please do not use ‘Baraye’ for the clerical establishment. It belongs to the people, not you,” wrote another user on X.
Critics on social media also pointed to Pezeshkian’s silence on Hajipour’s arrest.
US officials, including First Lady Jill Biden, praised the song as a powerful statement of freedom and women’s rights and emphasized its potential to spark social change.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller condemned Hajipour’s conviction, calling it indicative of Iran’s broader crackdown on dissent.
After its release, the song “Baraye” enjoyed enormous popularity, with it receiving over 40 million views on Shervin’s Instagram account within two days.
The Persian word “Baraye,” meaning “for…” or “for the sake of the cause,” underscores every line of the song, which is composed of a mosaic of Iranian tweets lamenting societal challenges: “For dancing in the streets; for the fear of kissing; for students and their future” and “for women, life, freedom.”
Although Pezeshkian is the only reform candidate among the six final candidates for the upcoming June 28 elections, he has become increasingly conservative in his bid to win the coveted presidential seat.
