Iranian Revolution 1978-79

The Iran Revolution of 1978-79:

The Iranian revolution was a very popular revolution. Many people turned out on the streets. The main reasons for people coming out were:

1. People were dissatisfied with the corrupt government.
2. Oil benefits were not reaching the poor.
3. Rising unemployment and economic inequality.
4. Socio-Religious changes brought into the society which was not acceptable to conservative sections.
5. Spreading of imperialism in Iran by USA.Initially, Iranian revolution did not start to create an Islamic republic, when Iranian revolution started, the aim of the people was not to make it an Islamic republic, it was just to remove the government because of the reasons listed above. People were unhappy with the government (Shah).

Lets now discuss the events which led Iranian revolution :

In 1975, the Shah abolished all the political parties because they were against the policies of the king (Shah). Only one party namely "Resurgence party " which was the party of Shah himself was not abolished. Also, Censorship were imposed, no media or newspaper could print anything without the permission of the government. Many popular political personalities were arrested and tortured.

Finally, in October,1977 protests began. The students formed a large part of protesters. People were protesting on the streets of Tehran.

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (ra) was a religious leader from a place called Khum. Ayatollah Khomeini (ra) opposed the various reform processes of the Shah. In 1963, Ayatollah Khomeini (ra) protested against the Shah. He was then arrested and exiled to Iraq. As Ayatollah Khomeini (ra) was an Islamic scholar, he used to write from Iraq and his writings were spread across Iran and he became a prominent figure in the revolution.
On 6th Jan, 1978, a news article came out which was criticising Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (ra) accusing him an agent of western countries. But people were aware of the fact that all these blames are false. A vast number of people who were followers of Ayatollah Khomeini came out and started protesting.
By Sept, 1978, Shah imposed marshal law, civil rights were taken away and many people were killed which led to increase in protests in all cities of Iran. During Muharram in Dec, 1978, protests intensified. By 16th Jan, Shah left Iran for USA fearing for his safety. After about 15 years, Ayatollah Khomeini (ra) returns from exile and was welcomed by millions of people in Tehran. Ayatollah Khomeini (ra) dismissed the PM who was appointed by the Shah and established the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Aftermath of Iranian revolution:

1. In April,1979 vote were held for new constitution which was passed by 98% vote.
2. Islamic Republic of Iran was established.
3. Now Iran has its Supreme Leader who is above president, parliament and all the elected bodies. He can overturn any decision of the government. The Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (ra) became the first Supreme Leader of Islamic Republic of Iran.
4. Also Sharia law was adopted and is still followed in Iran till today.
5. Islamic revolutionary Guards were created which belongs to elite military group whose job is to save the revolutionary ideas and stop any other revolution in Iran.