Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu comments 'I did not find the exploitation of religious feelings right': Responds to Deniz Göktaş question

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was brought to the CHP Chairmanship with a decision of absolute nullity, spoke about his meeting with the arrested comedian Deniz Göktaş, saying, "The CHP did not come up in my meeting with Deniz Göktaş. I conveyed my get-well wishes. There is a part there that I did not agree with; I did not find the exploitation of people's religious feelings to be right."

12punto 13 July 2026

Kılıçdaroğlu was asked about the words of the arrested comedian Deniz Göktaş, who had told him to "let go of the CHP," during their meeting.

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu stated, "The CHP did not come up in my meeting with Deniz Göktaş. I conveyed my get-well wishes. There is a part there that I did not agree with; I did not find the exploitation of people's religious feelings to be right. You respect faith. But you can make all kinds of criticisms of politicians," he said.

HERE ARE THOSE STATEMENTS BY KILIÇDAROĞLU:

When I first heard about the incident, I thought we needed to stand by this friend of ours.

When an investigation was opened against him, he came to Istanbul.

I was also protested there by members of the Workers' Party, it is not a problem. Even if they do not share the same thoughts as me, I have to protect their rights and laws.

There was no such sentence. He did not say such a thing. Even if he had, I would have met it with tolerance.

I do not find the exploitation of religious feelings to be right. People's beliefs should not be the subject of humor. But harsh criticisms can be made regarding politicians. It is like this everywhere in the world.