12th of April Regime

The "12th of April" Regime, commonly referred to as the "Ikir Regime", was a dictatorial regime under Marshal Varen Ikir that ruled Ikhan from 1937 to 1952, although the first four years of the regime aren't classified as an actual part of the dictatorship. On the 12th of April, 1941, in response to the declaration of war by the Ardian Empire and with the consent of the Emperor, Ashot, suspended the National Assembly for the "betterment of the nation's war-effort", though it remained suspended until 1952, five years after the end of the war, this being due to Marshal Ikir's death. The Ikir regime officially ended when, by Imperial Mandate in 1952, the National Assembly was reconvened and the title of "Imperial Chancellor" was abolished, given that Marshal Ikir was the holder of the title and had accumulated powers far beyond what it permitted, as well as the negative connotations of such a title in post-Ikirist Ikhan.

## Arashin Totalitarianism

The Ikir Regime sought to strengthen and in some areas, comprehensively change, Murai society. It would, therefore, implement controls on Murai society, politics, language, and the economy.

### Social Control

Due to it being a wartime regime, the Ikir's state was, before the end of the war, focused towards ensuring that the Ikhani peoples kept up the fight against the Ardians. As morale was key to this, the regime practiced frequent censorship of the press, though it didn't entirely control it personally. Nonetheless, non-state approved papers were banned and those that were often fell under the purview of state censors.

The Ikirist regime, being founded upon the ideals of Varen Ikir, banned *all* political parties; even the Ikirists didn't have their own political party, though this mattered little as they held considerable sway over the government regardless of this. Strikes were prohibited during and after the war as well. Under the notorious Arkan Variket, communist organizations were all but banned and dissolved, their members exiled to far-flung lands such as the Akarasin Archipelago and Lekhai or executed, depending on who you ask.

### Nationalism

Like in most other totalitarian regimes, the Ikirist regime of Ikhan adopted a strong nationalistic program. While many in the government sought to reclaim the western provinces lost in the 1860's, Marshal Ikir was, to an extent, opposed to the matter, only wishing to extend the Empire's influence in the lands and to establish an Ikhani-aligned state in the region instead. Nonetheless, he used strong nationalistic language concerning Arashin(Murai) minorities in the Ardian Empire and threats from some of the nation's neighbors in the region.

Ethnic minorities suffered under the Ikirist regime, facing repression at several turns. Outside of the Nirai (who Marshal Ikir and the government viewed as brothers to the Murai), peoples such as the Avosai, the Ka'atopari, and others underwent a period of repression *after* the war ended, though the Marshal was very clear that he viewed them with contempt even during the war, if behind closed doors. The speaking of languages other than Arashin was banned in schools across the nation and other measures were put in place in an attempt to culturally assimilate these peoples into Murai society. This, therefore, is seen by many as a key factor in the Avosai revolt of the 1960's and early 70's. In contrast to many totalitarian regimes, however, no mass killings were ever implemented and there is no evidence that such actions were ever planned.

### Other

A major organization founded by the regime was the ERZ, or Imperial Broadcasting Service. Though no longer under that name, it continues to exist as the EKZ, or Imperial News Service, which is most-watched news channel in Ikhan. The service was originally founded to spread propaganda across the nation as well as provide news on the war.

Curiously, despite being a firmly conservative (and in some cases, fascistic) regime, the 12th of April regime also implemented several reforms to socialize the Ikhani economy, some of which include the following:

* Unemployment benefits
* Paid Maternity Leave
* A five-day, 40-hour workweek
* A guaranteed two-week vacation with pay for all workers (or two weeks of double pay for those who forgo it)
* Stricter work-safety standards.

## Legacy

The Ikirist regime is, in some circles, fondly remembered for the unity it brought to the Empire, even as it trampled on the rights of those not deemed Murai (or close enough to be granted special rights). This treatment of minorities, alongside over a decade of further repression, led to a major revolt in Rusan during the 60's and early 70's. Marshal Ikir himself remains a controversial figure at best in Ikhan to this day, being reviled by some for his dictatorial rule and distaste for minorities in Ikhan, while others praise him for his patriotism and defiance against the Ardian Empire during the war.

Curiously, there are several statues of Marshal Ikir in Ikhan to this day, though they serve more to remind people of the slippery slope that desperation could be in the face of the enemy, as well as honoring his defiance against the Ardians.

Ikirism in the modern day has largely died off, though it does have a small following in some fringe groups within Ikhan.