For several days now, the discussion has centered on the headscarf issue and communication problems. The final point reached: It is understood that the government is not going to take action in the short term. According to announcements made, the issue will not come to the agenda without a social consensus.
This means the problem has been sentenced to insolution. "Reconciliation" and "consensus" are the two key words regarding the headscarf issue. Governments have changed, but these concepts have not changed. The answer to the question,"Is it possible to achieve reconciliation and consensus?" is, as a matter of fact, very clear. It is enough to take a look at the discussions in the last two days. Those with an anti-headscarf stance have such a rigid and tough attitude that they do not seem to move towards reconciliation.
As soon as the prime minister's remark appeared on the agenda, their reaction was, "Certainly not, we will not allow this," even without the statement being examined thoroughly, the contents of the study being announced and without the nature of the solution becoming evident yet. A terrific reflex…The intensity of being in the opposition is at shocking level. Not a social, but an institution-based consensus has emerged, not on the way to solution, but on the direction of obstruction.
Higher Education Council (YOK) President Erdogan Tezic, who is apparently on alert, immediately reacted. This wasn't enough, he then called all the rectors for a meeting in Ankara. He was, however, expected to express what he thinks after obtaining the accurate information. The YOK meeting will be held today. Before Erdogan announced that his remarks were twisted, issuing a harsh anti-headscarf declaration, signed by the rectors, was being considered. After the softening, we will see what kind of attitude the rectors will adopt today.
The prime minister's statement that "We have not undertaken any study relating to a solution," does not mean there are no problems at the universities. Its priority is debatable, nevertheless, that existence of the problem is a reality. Such a problem has been experienced at the universities for years and it has already become chronic. Even if Erdogan had not made any statements about the headscarf, it would still have been one of the important issues on next week's agenda.
The Justice and Development Party (AKP) has finally pressed the button on student amnesty. The Republican People's Party (CHP) has not moved towards reconciliation. The only reason behind such a delay on student amnesty and the CHP not supporting it, is a possibility that students who were expelled from universities because they wore headscarves, will also benefit from this opportunity. I know quite well that the government has postponed the issue due to concerns over possible tension during the European Union (EU) process and a possible regime crisis.
Think about an opposition party, which would not favor a legal amendment, that will be a remedy for hundreds of thousands of students. Those who will benefit from the amnesty because they are headscarves victims, do not even constitute one percent of the whole. The ratio is so low, however, in spite of this, the CHP still stands aloof. I am dead sure that when the student amnesty is brought onto the agenda of Parliament, it will be a matter of only the evaluation of the headscarf issue. Claims will be made that the law is aimed at amnesty for headscarved students. The CHP will stiffen its opposition. The opposite bloc will resist with its well-known style. What is desired is a declaration that "those, who wear headscarves, cannot benefit from this amnesty". Is this possible? Certainly, not.
The latest discussion signifies that the opposition bloc's harsh attitude is moving towards animosity, and unfortunately, this makes the problem even more serious. Those who support the headscarf are more reasonable and calm. Let's look back…The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) made one of its women deputies take off her headscarf and remained silent for a period of time. The AKP has remained silent for two years. The result: The scope of the ban has widened, however, the opposite side has not mellowed one little bit.
There is no way out. Everyone will benefit from a libertarian environment that will also appear with the effect of the EU process, not only people of a certain region or followers of a certain sect. That the headscarf will get its share of these freedoms cannot be thought of. Resisting is futile.
February 11, 2005
