Turkish college students stage mass protest over appointment of Erdogan loyalist as college rector

The appointment of Melih Bulu, an individual with shut ties to Turkey’s ruling Justice and Growth Social gathering (AKP), because the rector of Bogazici College has sparked protests in Istanbul with college students decrying infringements on educational independence. 

Bulu, who was appointed by a presidential decree issued by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on January 1, ran for AKP within the 2015 parliamentary elections. Erdogan gained the authority to nominate rectors to the college by an emergency decree issued in 2016, after he survived a failed coup in 2016.

The transfer has been condemned by college students and teachers who voiced issues over the growing politicisation of college administrations throughout the nation.

A whole bunch of scholars and a few teachers on Monday gathered in entrance the college’s headquarters in Istanbul, carrying indicators calling for Bulu’s resignation and chanting slogans, equivalent to “Melih Bulu shouldn’t be our rector” and “AKP, take your fingers off our college.” 

“That is yet one more case of many ongoing anti-democratic practices since 2016, aiming at abolishing rectorial elections. We don’t settle for it because it clearly violates educational freedom and scientific autonomy in addition to the democratic values of our college,” Bogazici school members stated in a assertion issued on January 3. 

Native media additionally reported clashes with police, with safety forces utilizing tear gasoline and plastic bullets on protesters, whereas not less than 17 protests have been arrested, after police forces raided their houses.