Seren Serengil’den Bakan Yerlikaya’ya Eleştiri: Her Şeyi Engelliyorsunuz

İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s university diploma being revoked due to “Nonexistence” and “Clear error” reasons led to a series of events, culminating in Imamoğlu’s detention on March 19. Following Imamoğlu’s arrest, certain metro stations were closed in Istanbul, and social media bandwidth reduction measures were implemented. Imamoğlu’s arrest created a huge impact nationally and internationally, with reactions escalating rapidly, leading to numerous protests nationwide. Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş and CHP (Republican People’s Party) Chairman Özgür Özel addressed tens of thousands gathered at Saraçhane. Following Özgür Özel’s statement “They say to me, are you calling for street protests? Yes, yes, yes,” a reaction came from the Minister of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya. Minister Yerlikaya stated, “Calling people to streets, squares is nothing but ‘irresponsibility.’ No one can bear the burden of stirring up the streets; neither politically, legally, nor ethically! I address the protesters: Do not fall for the provocations of infiltrating troublemakers among you! Our police force is on duty 24/7 to ensure the peace and security of our esteemed nation.” TV host Seren Serengil also made a notable statement on the issue.

“HER ŞEYİ ENGELLİYORSUNUZ”

Sharing 3 videos on her social media account addressing Minister Yerlikaya, Serengil stated, “You are banning everything.” Expressing her reactions towards animal rights opponents, and the silent art community, Serengil used the following words:

“So, we’ve never heard so much from our mothers and fathers that you shouldn’t do this or that. You don’t want anything, you are banning everything. Then you say, ‘You live so freely, who interferes with you?’ Yes! Someone is interfering with me right now. They ask, ‘What are you doing on the street?’ they say. Don’t let the dogs be on the street, and don’t you be there either, they say. They also tell you not to write on social media. Many people conduct their business over the internet, but you are slowing down the internet, slowing down the metro. You are doing this and that. I can’t understand why you are doing all of this.

Do you think people, many artists, businessmen, athletes are not talking? Do you think they are not talking because they agree with you? No, they don’t talk because they are afraid. For example, I am not being employed, no channel is hiring me. I don’t care, there are already disgraceful programs, I don’t want them. But then those who support you will find jobs, those who don’t support you won’t. They will be dragged into hatred and animosity against you, go to prison for it, not share what’s happening on social media. They won’t protest, express their opinions, dogs will be collected. We will sit at home. Can such a thing really happen, for God’s sake? Can such a thing happen?

Please try to love people, even if they are not like you. I have tried to love many people who are not like me in my life, and I loved them. Try it too. This lack of love evokes evilness.

I am a person who doesn’t understand politics, and my political knowledge is truly zero. I even looked up your name 10 times to be able to say it. I don’t care because, for the first time in 20 years, I am making a video against you. It’s been too much! My artist friends aren’t able to speak, but everyone shares the same opinion, know that. They are afraid they will lose their jobs.

I don’t care, someone has to say it. I’m kindly asking you to behave a bit more humanely towards us.”