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Why is June 20, 1981, Considered a Turning Point?
Although both modern monarchic and religious dictatorships committed numerous crimes against the Iranian people, both publicly and privately, June 20, 1981, is considered a pivotal moment in the history of Iranian resistance against dictatorship. Why?
The First June 20!
The first June 20 refers to the year 1981. On this day, Khomeini ordered his Revolutionary Guard forces to shoot at a peaceful demonstration in Tehran attended by half a million people in support of the Iranian People's Mujahedin Organization, crushing peaceful resistance in Iran. This reveal of the dictatorial and religious nature was directed against all Iranians who longed for freedom, not limited to any specific group or ethnicity. The aim of the religious dictatorship was to suppress any form of freedom and aspiration in Iran. This is the primary reason that rendered this dictatorship illegitimate and hostile to the people! Therefore, the first June 20 became a false line, pulled by the Iranian people against the religious dictatorship across Iran. Some events illustrating this lack of legitimacy include the following:
- After overthrowing the monarchical dictatorship by the Iranian people, the Iranian Mujahedin Organization announced the establishment of the **"National Movement of the Iranian Mujahedin"** as its political body to expand its social base, the day after the fall of the dictatorship, on February 12, 1979.
- One month later, on March 12, 1979, the organization declared that any hostile stance or imposition of veiling on Iranian women was unacceptable, affirming full political and social freedom for women.
- Six days later, on March 18, the organization issued a statement emphasizing the need to defend citizens' legitimate rights, including the Kurds, and to lift the double injustice against them, calling for a peaceful revolutionary solution to this issue. They warned of incidents like clashes in Kurdistan and in Khomeini’s city of Khomein.
- On the same date, the organization issued a statement about the minimum expectations from the Islamic Republic, announcing the formation of a People’s Army and demanding guarantees for freedom of press, parties, and political gatherings regardless of creed or orientation, as well as the political and social rights for women, and the removal of double injustice from all groups and ethnic, national diversities across the country. On June 7, 1979, the organization issued a statement calling for the formation of a Constituent Assembly to draft a constitution, stressing that a genuine constituent assembly could be formed by inviting representatives from various social, political, ethnic, and national segments. If forming such a body was difficult or impossible due to the diversity of groups and unions, the true representation of people could be achieved through popular councils. If that was also impossible, the only fair way was comprehensive national elections.
- On October 15, 1979, the organization declared that “the Kurdish question cannot be resolved through military means. The revolutionary and popular solution lies primarily in recognizing the “Right to Self-Determination” and “Managing their Internal Affairs” within the framework of Iran’s unbreakable national unity.”
- On November 22, 1979, the organization announced they would not participate in the constitution referendum approved by the Assembly of Experts due to the lack of minimum political and ideal demands. However, on January 5, 1980, they nominated Massoud Rajavi for presidential elections, which was welcomed by most progressive parties, organizations, national, and religious minorities. In response, Khomeini, amidst popular support for Rajavi’s candidacy, abandoned all promises, despite his pledge not to interfere in the elections and respecting the people's choice. He personally intervened and issued a fatwa to disqualify Massoud Rajavi from running.
- On September 9, 1980, the **"Islamic Republic"** newspaper wrote that, **"By order of the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, Revolutionary forces announced their readiness to occupy Iraq with the support of Muslims."** Later, on October 29, 1980, Khomeini’s judiciary declared a total ban on publishing Mujahedin materials and statements, exploiting the war circumstances. However, the Mujahedin Organization did not retreat from its principles before Khomeini's regime and remained loyal until the end to its political line to prove the truth historically, politically, and socially, continuing the resistance.
Why a Turning Point?!
Prophet Massoud Rajavi, leader of the Iranian Resistance, stated: “For us, after the anti-Shah revolution by the Iranian people, we never wished for violence, bloodshed, or armed confrontation — and we did not welcome it. But when Khomeini shut down newspapers, banned parties, and enforced widespread repression, we persisted for a long time in asserting the truth.
Levante: Abdulrahman Kourki (Mahabadi)
