CHP issues Anıtkabir warning ahead of October 29: 'It is not a place for slogans or political shows'

CHP Deputy Chairman Yankı Bağcıoğlu issued a statement regarding political chants during official ceremonies at Anıtkabir and the searching of Turkish Armed Forces personnel ahead of the 102nd anniversary celebrations of the Republic.

Bağcıoğlu stated, "Anıtkabir is a mausoleum; it is not a place for slogans, chants, or political shows. It is essential to deny entry to groups that do not know the decorum of the mausoleum in order to protect the dignity of the Turkish nation and the order and harmony of Anıtkabir. Practices that lead to the perception that 'our soldiers are not trusted' must be ended," he said.

CHP Deputy Chairman Yankı Bağcıoğlu issued a written statement regarding the political chants at official ceremonies held at Anıtkabir in recent years and the searching of Turkish Armed Forces personnel ahead of the 102nd anniversary of the Republic. Stating that Anıtkabir is a mausoleum and that every action taken there must be in accordance with "mausoleum decorum," Bağcıoğlu called for the necessary regulations to be implemented in terms of both law and state tradition.

Bağcıoğlu included the following statements in his written statement on the subject:

“In a very short time, we will celebrate the 102nd anniversary of our Republic with enthusiasm. At Anıtkabir, the symbol of our nation's struggle for independence, we will commemorate our eternal Commander-in-Chief Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and our deep respect for the values of the Republic.

"Any attitude, action, word, writing, or behavior that does not befit the spiritual presence of Anıtkabir is not permitted"

Anıtkabir is a mausoleum; it is not a place for slogans, chants, or political shows. As clearly stated in Law No. 2524 on the Execution of Anıtkabir Services and Article 35, titled 'Ceremonies,' of the Regulation issued for the implementation of this Law: ‘Only wreaths may be laid and ceremonies may be organized at Anıtkabir to show respect for Atatürk. Ceremonies, marches, and demonstrations for other purposes cannot be organized, and wreaths cannot be laid. Any attitude, action, word, writing, or behavior that does not befit the spiritual presence of Anıtkabir is not permitted.’

Political chants that have become routine on national days disregard the decorum of the mausoleum and constitute an example of disrespect for our nation's common values.

Along with the aforementioned slogan incidents, some developments that do not befit the Turkish Armed Forces and the glorious uniform of our army have occurred in recent ceremonies. We would like to remind you that; no matter how advanced our army's weapons, vehicles, and technological power may be, the true combat capability of our army is not these tools, but our heroic soldiers who give life to those capabilities. The fact that uniformed military personnel arriving to participate in ceremonies at Anıtkabir have recently been subjected to body searches by police officers, who are another of our law enforcement agencies, creates an unacceptable situation. This situation creates a strange and distrustful impression that 'our soldiers, who represent our state under the most difficult duty conditions, are not trusted,' and that this personnel needs to be controlled by our police, who are another armed force of our state.

Indeed, our officers and non-commissioned officers who participated in the section of the August 30, 2025, Victory Day official ceremonies held at Anıtkabir were passed through four separate security points upon entering Anıtkabir, their names were checked one by one, and they were subjected to body searches by police officers on duty. However, the security of the ceremonies to be held at Anıtkabir has been assigned to the Ankara Garrison Command and the Anıtkabir Command (in coordination with the Provincial Security Directorate and other security units) in accordance with the Regulation on the Execution of Anıtkabir Services. The security measures to be taken during the ceremonies are also clearly regulated in the same regulation.

On the other hand, the principles regarding the body searches of military personnel are clearly regulated in Articles 91 to 97 and Article 56 of the TAF Internal Service Law No. 211, the Regulation on Search and Control in Military Areas issued based on these articles, as well as Article 14 of the Regulation on Judicial and Preventive Searches and the relevant provisions of the Law on Police Duties and Powers.

According to the aforementioned legislative provisions, a military person can only be searched by military personnel assigned by military authorities (for example, Garrison Commands or the Central Command). This search carried out by the police is contrary to legal legislation, except in cases of flagrante delicto requiring a heavy penalty, and damages the institutional reputation of the TAF.

On this occasion, we remind the Ministry of National Defense and the relevant institutions once again: We demand that security checks at Anıtkabir be undertaken by the Ankara Garrison Command (Central Command) and/or the Anıtkabir Command in accordance with the relevant regulation. This demand is both a legal and a moral necessity. We want effective measures to be taken against the slogans and chants that have been going on for nine years; we want the Anıtkabir Regulation to be applied appropriately. It is essential to deny entry to groups that do not know the decorum of the mausoleum in order to protect the dignity of the Turkish nation and the order and harmony of Anıtkabir. Practices that lead to the perception that 'our soldiers are not trusted' must be ended. The strength of our army lies in its people, beyond technology. The treatment deemed appropriate for these people endangers our future, creates dissatisfaction among our soldiers, and causes distrust among our institutions, which are of vital importance for our national security.”

News Source: 12punto