Reaction from Ülkü Ocakları to Bahçeli regarding the 'opening': 'Our stance has not changed'

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli’s support for the 'Terror-Free Türkiye' process has sparked major debate, particularly among nationalist youth. The process, initiated by Bahçeli's call and deepened by the move to visit the leader of the terrorist organization PKK, Abdullah Öcalan, at his prison in İmralı, is causing significant unease within the Ülkü Ocakları. Young people at universities are frequently participating in protests regarding this process and voicing their reactions against Bahçeli's stance.

REBELLION AGAINST ÖCALAN: "RAID İMRALI, HANG APO"

An incident that occurred at Ankara University on November 24, 2024, further fueled the controversy. Youth affiliated with the Ülkü Ocakları chanted slogans containing profanity against PKK terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan on campus. Shouting, "Raid İmralı, hang Apo," the youth questioned the MHP's position on this issue. Speaking to Cumhuriyet, university students criticized Bahçeli's approach to İmralı and Öcalan, stating that serious discussions are taking place among them regarding this matter.

"OUR APPROACH TO ÖCALAN WILL NOT CHANGE"

The words of a student from the Ankara University Faculty of Law organization revealed the extent of the discomfort:

-“Öcalan is a terrorist who has taken thousands of lives with the PKK terrorist organization he founded. The fact that he might make the PKK lay down its arms does not change this reality. We believe that Mr. Bahçeli has good intentions, but we are questioning his approach toward Apo among ourselves. There is no change in our view of Öcalan, and there cannot be. That is why we consciously chanted slogans against Öcalan.”

The student also expressed his thoughts on the issue of visits to İmralı, saying, “Many of our fellow comrades think that Öcalan is trying to direct the Turkish State rather than fulfilling the wishes of the Turkish State. There have been discussions among us on this issue, and some of our friends are showing serious resistance to this process.”

According to the report by Cumhuriyet, it was emphasized that the discomfort within the Ülkü Ocakları is not limited to Ankara University. Another university student stated, “The situation is the same at other universities in Ankara. Even if it is not visible through the media or social media, there is confusion and discomfort among many of our fellow nationalists regarding this process. This situation is not limited to the capital; when I return to my hometown, I encounter similar views.”

REACTION FROM GAZİ UNIVERSITY: "THE PROCESS IS NOT ALIGNING WITH ITS NAME"

Another university student from Gazi University stated that the process is gathering more and more reaction:

-“Recently, PKK sympathizers in universities have started to gain strength. This has happened with the courage they have taken from the ‘Terror-Free Türkiye’ process. Most of our friends in our organization do not approve of any cooperation with Öcalan. We do not believe that the PKK has laid down its arms. The reaction is very high. Many of our friends have started to turn to different parties because of this, and interest in the Zafer Party and the İYİ Party in particular has increased.”

News Source: 12punto