CHP's Murat Emir rebels against President Erdoğan's 'there is no politics in grief': 'The shield you hide behind in every instance of negligence'

Many figures from educational and political circles continue to express their reactions to the school attacks in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş and to those who lost their lives in these attacks.

While AKP figures have pointed to computer games and social media platforms as the culprits behind the school attacks, AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan stated in his own remarks that the perpetrators of the incident would be punished, and reacted to criticisms from the opposition front by saying, 'there is no politics in grief.'

REACTION FROM CHP GROUP DEPUTY CHAIRMAN EMIR

CHP's Murat Emir reacted to these words from AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan via a post on his social media account, criticizing the government for failing to accept any responsibility for the great tragedies occurring across the country.

MURAT EMIR EXPRESSED HIS REACTION WITH THE FOLLOWING WORDS:

When an earthquake happens, you say 'it is not the time for politics,' then you turn around and engage in the most ruthless politics by telling earthquake victims 'if you don't vote for us, services won't come.' When a workplace homicide occurs, you call it 'fate.' The only shield you hide behind in every instance of negligence under your responsibility is always the same: 'There is no politics in grief.'

The Minister of National Education talks about everything except education and engages in every polemic, but our schools are not protected. Proposals offered for security are not implemented, and it is our bright children who suffer the consequences. No one is harvesting ratings from this pain; they are throwing the results of your wrong policies in your face!

Do you have any idea what has happened in our schools in just the last 2 years? In May 2024, Principal İbrahim Oktugan was murdered in his office. In October 2024, a student was shot in a gym in Karaman. In November 2024, knife fights occurred in schoolyards in İzmir and Bolu, resulting in injuries. In 2025, a guidance counselor was shot in Konya, an armed attack took place at a university, and a parent opened fire at a school! In the same year, a 12-year-old child in Mersin shot the school principal with a rifle. In March 2026, teacher Fatma Nur Çelik was murdered. Yesterday, an armed school attack took place in Şanlıurfa, and dozens of our people were injured. In the massacre that took place today in Kahramanmaraş, we lost 9 of our lives…

This nation is paying the price for your policies and negligence with their lives. Reminding you that these are your responsibility is telling the truth at the right time. For once, come out and say 'The fault is ours' and resign. But we know that despite all this pain, you haven't even resigned once!

When an earthquake happens, you say "it is not the time for politics," then you turn around and engage in the most ruthless politics by telling earthquake victims "if you don't vote for us, services won't come." When a workplace homicide occurs, you call it "fate." The only shield you hide behind in every instance of negligence under your responsibility is always the same: "There is no politics in grief."… https://t.co/YvV70xwm0R

— Murat Emir (@muratemirchp) April 15, 2026

WHAT DID PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN SAY:

"I convey my get-well wishes to all our citizens, all our families, and especially our dear children who were affected by the armed attack that took place in Kahramanmaraş and deeply saddened all of Turkey. Unfortunately, in this tragic attack, we lost our bright children and a self-sacrificing educator. I pray for God's mercy upon the souls we have lost; I wish patience to their grieving families and offer my condolences to our educational community.

"IT WILL CERTAINLY BE CLARIFIED"

Our public prosecutors, civil and educational inspectors are meticulously conducting the investigations that have been immediately launched. The incident will certainly be clarified in all its dimensions. Our Ministers of National Education, Family and Social Policies, Interior, Justice, and Health have moved to Kahramanmaraş to attend to our wounded and our brothers and sisters affected by the incident, to share in the pain, and to personally manage the process.

"THERE IS NO POLITICS IN GRIEF"

It is both a conscientious and moral duty not to make such an attack, which has cast a burning fire into the hearts of all of us as a nation, a subject of political polemics and rating concerns. There is no politics in grief. Given the sensitivity of the incident, I request all segments of society, especially our members of the press, to show the necessary care. During this process, I urge our nation not to rely on false and incorrect news or posts containing disinformation, and to take into account the statements of our relevant public institutions. I once again wish a speedy recovery to our children, our families, and our teachers."

News Source: 12punto