Celal Şengör reacts to RTÜK over 'Kızıl Goncalar': 'Is RTÜK at the service of a handful of ignorant bigots?'

Scientist Prof. Dr. Celal Şengör has written a letter regarding the TV series Kızıl Goncalar, which is currently under investigation by RTÜK and has been the subject of various attacks on its promotional posters.

'IT IS THE PRESSURE OF A HANDFUL OF IGNORANT BIGOTS'

In his letter, Şengör stated, "On what grounds is RTÜK opening an investigation? They are using societal pressure as an excuse: What societal pressure? In reality, that pressure is the pressure of a handful of ignorant bigots."

The letter, which Şengör sent to journalist Fatih Altaylı to be published on his website, reads as follows:

"Is RTÜK at the service of such individuals, or is it at the service of the secular Republic of Turkey? Is there not a single civilized man or woman at RTÜK who decided on this investigation? If there are, why did they not walk out of the meeting where the aforementioned decision was made? Previously, RTÜK also attempted to fine a program because I stated that the 'prophets' Abraham and Moses were not historical but mythological, that is, fairy-tale characters.

And then what happened?

Once I proved what I said scientifically, they were forced to abandon the penalty in court. The series Kızıl Goncalar, with the contribution of our very talented actors, touches upon a festering social wound and brings it before the eyes of the public.

There are great benefits in our Minister of National Education watching this series in particular.

What person or group has the power to ban such an enlightening series?

In fact, should the play Galileo by Bertold Brecht—whom I do not like at all—be banned because it reveals the stupidity of the clergy and how helpless they remain in the face of science? On the contrary, that play should be widely performed, and it should be shown to the public how science must be defended and what could happen if it is not—even though I do not like the author for various reasons.

I read today that paint was thrown at the billboards for the series Kızıl Goncalar.

Will our esteemed Minister of Interior not take an interest in this horrific violation?

I hope our Minister of National Education sees where the frightening steps he is taking in schools, which will surely lead to the end of our nation, are heading. He says the old Turkey is gone: I remind our Minister: The old world is gone too. In this world where science and technology have developed so much, you can no longer govern societies with anti-scientific rhetoric, myths, and fairy tales. People are not as ignorant and unconscious as they used to be.

Let us come to our senses now. Otherwise, our end will be a catastrophe.

I hope we wake up from this nightmare soon and can leave behind a prosperous homeland for our youth—whom we desire to have free consciences, free minds, and free wisdom—a homeland they will not try to escape from, but one in which they can live in peace, and which the outside world will envy; hadn't Atatürk done just that?"