Kemalist practices on national days

Many, mostly Republican People's Party (CHP) members and supporters, were critical of the ministry's warning, arguing that removing the practice of national celebrations is a sign of the ending of the regime founded by Atatürk. Finally, a man in Konya appealed to the Council of State to end the new practice of limiting May 19 celebration spots, and the Council of State stopped the new practice.

Sabah's Engin Ardıç notes that according to the ministry's decision, May 19 celebration ceremonies are to be held in Ankara, but apparently the person from Konya wants to have ceremonies in Konya, too. “That's fine, let's have ceremonies in Konya. But I wonder how many people will attend the ceremonies, how many will watch the ceremonies at home, how many will go out with friends, how many will picnic. I wonder which group will have the most attendees,” Ardıç says, adding that he has tired of fascist, fake-joyful celebrations held on national days. He recalls that he once received a disciplinary penalty in high school just because he laughed during Nov. 10 ceremonies, commemorating the day Atatürk died. Supporting the ministry's decision, Ardıç underlines that regardless of the fact that national days like Nov. 10 and May 19 are important days meant to intensify our love and commitment to our country, people should feel and celebrate any way they like and not be forced to “celebrate with joy” by engaging in meaningless practices.

Meanwhile, Ahmet Altan from the Taraf daily says the decision of the Council of State is not that important; what is important here is the mindset of the man in Konya, widely shared by the CHP. “I know that many true leftists arguing for democracy and change hold no hope for the CHP and think it will never improve itself. And looking at its pro-coup stance and insistent support of past mistakes, it is easy to abandon hope for the CHP. But it is a fact that the party has a large number of grassroots supporters. And these voters are, unfortunately, incorrigible Kemalists, who insist on carrying out practices honoring Atatürk as if they are worshipping him,” the columnist says, adding that May 19 celebrations are one of the practices backed by these Kemalist CHP voters. So basically, the problem with the May 19 celebrations is the same as the problem with the CHP, he argues.