AKP deputies react sharply to Koç's 'joke': Toxic and arrogant language

Despite a written apology and the investigation launched against him, public backlash continues to grow over the remarks Koç made regarding Kurdish women at a hospital opening ceremony.

AKP Istanbul Deputy and former Minister of State Salim Ensarioğlu and his nephew, Diyarbakır Deputy Galip Ensarioğlu, joined in the criticism.

Salim Ensarioğlu accused Koç of using "toxic language," while Galip Ensarioğlu criticized the remarks as "ugly" and the laughter as "frivolous."

AKP Istanbul Deputy Salim Ensarioğlu stated in a post on the social media platform X that Rahmi Koç's words "targeted the honor of Kurds, the dignity of women, and the unity of the nation." Expressing that the statement scratched at the fault lines of society, Ensarioğlu pointed out that similar words had also been used against Leyla Zana.

Salim Ensarioğlu expressed his reaction to Koç with the following words:

"This toxic and arrogant language, looking at the world from ivory towers, has cost our country dearly for years. Even that unserious apology they offered is clear evidence of the arrogance and insolence within them. This mindset, which targets the brotherhood of our nation and feeds on scratching at social fault lines, has caused us to lose many lives and many years."

"Remaining silent means being complicit in the crime"

"It should be well known that we will always stand against a mindset that touches the honor and dignity of Kurdish women, just as we did in the face of the insolence shown toward Leyla Zana by a group of masked, ignorant Bursaspor fans, or in the case of a mayor's insolent statement in previous years, and other similar negative incidents. Because remaining silent in the face of this insolence is to be complicit in the crime."

"They will not be able to escape accountability"

"The owners of this dirty language, which targets the honor of Kurds, the dignity of women, and the unity of our nation, must know their place. Otherwise, they will not be able to escape accountability, both before the law and in the conscience of the public."

Reaction from Ensarioğlu to Koç: I strongly condemn the ugly words and those frivolous laughs

AKP Diyarbakır Deputy Galip Ensarioğlu also criticized Koç in harsh terms through a statement on the social media platform X. Emphasizing that Koç's words deeply wounded not only Kurdish women but everyone who defends women's dignity, Ensarioğlu noted the following in his statement:

"I view with deep regret the primitive statements of a businessman, disguised as a 'joke,' which target the noble and honorable Kurdish women of this geography. Presenting our women, who form the foundation of this country and keep society standing with their chastity, labor, and stance, as material for humor is neither becoming of someone in that position nor does it fit within social morality. These uttered words have deeply wounded not only Kurdish women but everyone who defends women's dignity."

"The mentality that thinks it is having fun..."

Targeting those who accompanied Koç's words with laughter at the opening ceremony, Ensarioğlu said, "It is a moral duty for people who should be role models in society to use a unifying and respectful language. Such statements, fed by prejudices, have no place in today's Turkey. Even more dire is the situation of those in the hall who accompanied this disrespect with laughter. This condescending mentality, which thinks it is having fun by belittling a segment of society, has not received even a shred of the respect or courtesy of these lands. I strongly condemn these ugly words and those frivolous laughs in that hall. The honor and identity of our women are too sacred to be made material for any economic power, any elitist mentality that looks down on others, or anyone, especially those in that hall."

News Source: 12punto