Writer and television commentator Hacı Yakışıklı, who is known for his statements close to the government, had previously come to the agenda with his posts containing praise for FETÖ ringleader Fethullah Gülen. Yakışıklı's latest post on his X account regarding November 10 has sparked controversy on social media.
Criticizing the stopping of vehicles and the holding of a moment of silence in front of statues at 09:05 on the anniversary of the death ofMustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Yakışıklı expressed his discomfort with these practices.
"THIS IS COERCION, THIS IS IMPOSITION"
In his post on his X account, Yakışıklı used the following expressions regarding the commemoration practices on November 10:
"One does not get out of a car at a certain hour and block the road. There is no moment of silence in front of a statue. This is coercion, this is imposition."
While Yakışıklı's statement became a trending topic on social media in a short time, numerous critical comments were made under the post.
RESPONSE FROM BAKİ ERSOY TO HACI YAKIŞIKLI
One of the figures who reacted to Yakışıklı's words was MHP Kayseri Deputy and member of the TBMM Planning and Budget Committee, Baki Ersoy.
Quoting Yakışıklı's post on his X account, Ersoy emphasized that the love felt for Atatürk is not dependent on any political understanding or permission.
In his statement, the MHP deputy said the following:
"What is this discomfort with mentioning Atatürk’s name or standing in a moment of silence before his statue? If you call this coercion and imposition, we call it gratitude to the architect of our independence, the founder of our Republic, and the great leader who entrusted this homeland to us. Love for Atatürk is not dependent on anyone's permission, anyone's understanding, or the political conjuncture. To understand Atatürk, one must first understand the conditions under which this Republic was founded. Everyone can debate everything, but no one has the right to belittle, question, or discredit the nation's love for Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Even if you do not respect him, learn to respect the will of the millions who do!"
What is this discomfort with mentioning Atatürk’s name or standing in a moment of silence before his statue? If you call this coercion and imposition, we call it gratitude to the architect of our independence, the founder of our Republic, and the great leader who entrusted this homeland to us. Love for Atatürk is not dependent on anyone's permission, anyone's understanding, or the political conjuncture. To understand Atatürk, one must first understand the conditions under which this Republic was founded. Everyone can debate everything, but no one has the right to belittle, question, or discredit the nation's love for Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Even if you do not respect him, learn to respect the will of the millions who do!
— BAKİ ERSOY (@bakiersoymhp) November 11, 2026
News Source: 12punto
