Shokrollah Paknejad (September 15, 1944 – December 18, 1988) was a key figure in the leftist revolutionary movements in Iran. As a leader of the Palestine Group and the National Democratic Front, he played a crucial role in shaping the revolutionary political landscape of the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Dezful, Iran, Paknejad’s political journey began during his university years when he became actively involved in student movements advocating for political and social change.
Early Life and Education
Paknejad completed his secondary education in Dezful before enrolling at the Faculty of Law at the University of Tehran. His university years coincided with the emergence of new leftist movements in Iran, and he quickly became involved in organizing political activities. He was active within the National Front Student Organization, a platform that allowed him to develop his ideological perspectives and engage with like-minded activists. His participation in student protests and political activities led to multiple arrests and brief periods of imprisonment. Eventually, he was conscripted into military service as a punitive measure for his activism.