İYİ Party submits parliamentary question regarding 'Şeyh Sait Boulevard' name

İYİ Party Spokesperson Prof. Dr. Kürşad Zorlu made a post on his personal X account regarding the Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality's decision to name a boulevard connecting the Silvan road to the Elazığ road "Şeyh Sait Boulevard."

In his statement on the matter, Zorlu said, "Naming a boulevard after Şeyh Sait, who is etched in the public memory for his deep hostility toward our country's founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the rebellion he launched against the Republican regime, has caused deep sorrow and sparked reactions among the public."

"IT IS CONTRARY TO REGULATIONS"

Stating that this decision is contrary to legal regulations, Zorlu remarked, "The purpose of this action is unacceptable, and the action in question is contrary to legal regulations."

The written parliamentary question from Prof. Dr. Kürşad Zorlu to Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya includes the following statements:

TO THE PRESIDENCY OF THE GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF TURKEY

I kindly request that the following questions be answered in writing by the Minister of Interior, Mr. Ali YERLİKAYA, in accordance with Article 98 of the Constitution and Article 96 of the Rules of Procedure.

It has been understood through a post made on 6.12.2023 via the social media platform X (Twitter), the official account of the Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality, that "the name 'Şeyh Sait Boulevard' was given to a 12-kilometer-long and 50-meter-wide boulevard that will connect the Silvan road to the Elazığ road in Diyarbakır." Naming a boulevard after Şeyh Sait, who is etched in the public memory for his deep hostility toward our country's founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the rebellion he launched against the Republican regime, has caused deep sorrow and sparked reactions among the public. The purpose of this action is unacceptable, and the action in question is contrary to legal regulations. Article 24 of the Regulation on Addresses and Numbering, published in the Official Gazette dated 31.07.2016 and numbered 26245, states: "(1) Municipalities divide the area within their borders into regions consisting of an appropriate number of neighborhoods or squares, boulevards, streets, avenues, and cluster houses according to the Municipal Law No. 5393. The names of neighborhoods, streets, avenues, boulevards, squares, and similar places cannot be determined in a way that is contrary to the fundamental principles of the Constitution, current legislation, or general morality, or that may lead to discrimination and separatism. Words and expressions formed according to foreign language rules, as well as ugly, obscene, and ridiculous names, cannot be used. Before giving the names of foreign nationals, the favorable opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is obtained."

Based on this;

1. When was the name Şeyh Sait Boulevard given to the project mentioned above?

2. Given the historical records and facts, what benefit is thought to be achieved with this decision?

3. Will any legal/administrative initiative be taken to change the name of the boulevard in question in line with the wishes and expectations of our citizens?

News Source: 12punto