Panel at Hacı Bayram Veli University sparks controversy: What did former HDP MP Kemal Bülbül say?

The “Sultan Nevruz Panel,” organized by the Hacı Bayram Veli University Turkish Culture and Hacı Bektaş Veli Application and Research Center on March 25, 2026, became the target of harsh criticism on Veryansın TV.

Veryansın TV Editor-in-Chief Erdem Atay pointed to Kemal Bülbül, one of the speakers at the panel, and stated that Bülbül had been convicted of PKK membership.

Reminding that Gazi University was known in the past for its nationalist and even idealist (ülkücü) identity, Atay said, “In our time, students could not walk around with long hair or wear earrings. Now such a symposium is being held. Look at where we have come. A PKK member is going to give a lecture at Hacı Bayram Veli University…”

Responding to the criticisms in question via his social media account, Kemal Bülbül also shared a speech he gave in Parliament during his time as a member of parliament.

In that speech, the former HDP deputy said: “When I was the General President of the Pir Sultan Abdal Associations and the General Secretary of the Alevi Bektashi Federation, I attended a symposium organized by the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) upon invitation. Subsequently, a lawsuit was filed against me for being a member of an 'armed terrorist organization.' The organization they refer to is the DTK. However, in 2012, an invitation letter with the letterhead of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) was sent to the DTK, signed by the then-Speaker of the Parliament, Cemil Çiçek. The purpose was to invite them to discuss the Constitution. Now I ask that judge: Are you going to file a lawsuit against Cemil Çiçek as well?”

Following the news, 12punto contacted Kemal Bülbül. However, Bülbül stated that he had already made his assessment of the matter via his social media account and did not wish to provide an additional statement.

On the other hand, one of the speakers at the Sultan Nevruz panel was notable: Hacı Bayram Veli University Rector Prof. Dr. Naci Bostancı. Bostancı, who was elected as a member of parliament from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in 2011, served in various roles in the TBMM for many years and served as the Justice and Development Party Group Chairman in 2018.

News Source: Aydın Tonga