Page "Iranian Revolution" Paragraph 98

In December the moderate Islamic party Muslim People's Republican Party ( MPRP ), and its spiritual leader Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari had become a rallying point for Iranians who wanted democracy not theocracy.

Riots broke out in Shariatmadari's Azeri home region with members of the MPRP and Shariatmadari's followers seizing the Tabriz television station, and using it to " broadcast demands and grievances.

" The regime reacted quickly, sending Revolutionary Guards to retake the TV station, mediators to defuse complaints and activists to stage a massive pro-Khomeini counter-demonstration.

The party was suppressed and in 1982 Shari ' atmadari was " demoted " from the rank of Grand Ayatollah and many of his clerical followers purged.