Azerbaijan, Baku, 9 August / Trend corr. S.Ilhamgizi/ Turkey, which is waging a war against terrorists, has faced new domestic problems. Since dismissal of chancellors of about 20 higher schools by the decree of President Abdullah Gul, the professors of the universities have been retiring. Country's opposition Republican People's Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi) stated that this way the government is taking revenge for its defeat on the scarf-wearing issue.
Chancellors' ban on wearing scarves at universities in fact is stipulated in the country's legislation. Hijab (scarf) is a religious attribute. And given the fact that Turkey is a secular state, country's Constitution bans women to enter state and educational establishments wearing scarves. The draft constitutional changes developed by the governing Justice & Development Party (JDP), envisaging abolishment of the ban, was passed at the Parliament but rejected by the Constitutional Court.
JDP failed to achieve freedom of wearing hijabs. However, large-scale operations took place in the country resulting in arrest of several former high-ranking staunch religious servicemen.
Coincidence of the operation named Ergenikon with the clashes between JDP supporters and the supporters of secular life. It did not seem to be fortuitous that the clashes are leading to an ideological war between them.
The lawsuit on shutting down of the JDP was considered and this time the Constitutional Court passed a verdict in favour of the governing party. When the threat remained behind, JDP was to consolidate its basis. Certainly, it was clear that the 'chancellor reforms' of President Gul will not be unambiguously taken by the public, which came true. Radical opposition, taking the JDP as an enemy of secular life, now blame the party for vindictiveness, while JDP explains its positions by the presidential right, which is stipulated in the Constitution, to dismiss chancellors.
Being considered the guarantee of good manners and ideas of Ataturk in Turkey, army also will not lose its vigilance. Several days ago, the reforms being accompanied by the replacement of the Chief of the General Staff of Armed Forces, the heads of substructures, the increase in the number of ranks in officer personnel were accepted as the procedure of protocol character, but in actuality, this is similar to the information that the army will not lose its vigilance in any case.
Even if the contradiction between JDP and army in the country finds its solution, the reason for sequential disputes will be the 'Project of protection of young people' recently prepared by ruling party and presented to parliament.
According to project, prohibition must be imposed on the entrance of the people of up to 18 years of age to the hotels, the Internet clubs, and also the bars and restaurants in the evening hours (from 10.00pm to 5.00am), porn materials must be sold only in closed form, and during sale there must be written name, surname and passport number of buyer. The project suggests creating places for praying in the educational institutions.
In reality this project, which at first glance creates the impression of conservative document, can contribute to preserve the young generation of Turkey, bring up them healthy and moral manner. However, if the ruling party insists on its adoption by the Parliament as a law, new wave of protest will begin in the country. In the first years after JDP came to power, its initiative on the adoption of "Law on Zina" (adultery) failed.
Other initiative of JDP on the moral reforms - 'Project of protection of young people' - this time can face the protest of pro- European young people, free-thinkers. However, most of all, the opposition wants to use this situation. It will obtain additional tool against JDP, which it accuses of the rigid conservatism. But this shows that due to the fights for religious and secular values, the tension inside the country still will not fall for certain time.
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