TEHRAN On Tuesday Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi attended a gathering of Tehran University students and answered their questions. This is the first time the Judiciary Chief has done this. The TEHRAN TIMES has asked some Majlis deputies their opinions on the matter.

Majlis Deputy Hamid Reza Haj Babaie of Hamedan said that Shahroudi's meeting with the students is an important event. He added that the Judiciary Chief answered students' questions in a calm atmosphere, saying this is a blessing of the Islamic Republic.

He emphasized that the part of the gathering, which was broadcast on television clearly showed that Ayatollah Shahroudi was answering the questions honestly and without political bias. He added that the press should appreciate his responsive manner.

Babaie underlined that certain persons outside the system who want to create divisions between students and officials got upset when they heard of the meeting and expressed their anger in a number of publications. He said he hopes that these meetings will continue in order to reveal who is trying to create rumors and ambiguities in society.

Majlis Deputy Ali Emamirad of Kohdasht said that he is pleased that the Judiciary Chief met with university students. He added that he hopes this kind of dialogue will continue in the future and that other officials will also take part.

He stressed that he wished that the Judiciary Chief had done this earlier in order to preserve the prestige of the Judiciary.

Majlis Deputy Hussein Ali Qasemzadeh of Babol said that the Judiciary Chief's action was positive because the people, especially the students, have a lot of questions with respect to the Judiciary and its performance. He added that the Judiciary Chief's action is a way to establish close contact between judicial officials and students.

He added that these kinds of gatherings have positive effects and the questions asked are actually the questions of many people, so when the Judiciary Chief answers them clearly, many ambiguities are clarified.

In addition to this, the relevant government organizations can determine people's opinions in order to take them into consideration when making decisions.

He underlined that Ayatollah Shahroudi responded to questions on financial corruption cases and made important remarks without political bias.

He added that Shahroudi made clear remarks in regard to university issues and proved that the Judiciary seeks to create sound and balanced conditions in society.

MP Ali Akbar Mousavi Khoeini also assessed the move as positive and concluded that the student movement always welcomes any dialogue with responsible officials.