Konya dormitory scandal: Victim's family allegedly pressured to drop complaint

An alleged assault on a student at a male dormitory run by the Bozkır Imam Hatip Graduates Association (BİMDER) in Konya has ignited public outrage. The incident, involving BİMDER Chairman M.G., came to light through leaked footage, leading to the perpetrator's dismissal and an official investigation.

Adding a disturbing layer to the case, new claims suggest that individuals close to BİMDER are pressuring the victim's family to withdraw their complaint. Efforts to reach the family for comment have been unsuccessful. This development follows earlier, reportedly suppressed, allegations of violence at the same dormitory.

The BİMDER dormitory also holds a protocol with the Ministry of National Education, raising concerns as some Imam Hatip students reportedly attend classes there. Local residents protested outside the dormitory following the release of the footage, with security forces present.

Bahattin Ertuğrul, Konya Branch Chair of Eğitim-İş, condemned the alleged violence, warning that suppressing the complaint could encourage further abuse. He criticized the association's leadership for lacking any connection to education or pedagogy. Ertuğrul also pointed to protocols between the Ministry of National Education and religious/sectarian foundations as a reason for such incidents, arguing that children are being handed over to these groups instead of being educated by qualified teachers within a secular framework, as mandated by the Turkish constitution.

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Her şeyden önce korumamız gereken çocuklarımız bu protokollerle tarikat ve cemaatlerin ellerine teslim edildi. Eğitim, bu konuda yıllarını vermiş ve dirsek çürütmüş, pedagojik yönden donanımlı öğretmenlerimize bırakılmalıdır. Zira ülkemizde devlet her çocuğun eğitiminden sorumludur. Bu eğitim Cumhuriyet ilkeleri çerçevesinde ve Anayasa’mızda ifadesini bulan laiklik ilkesine bağlı olarak verilmelidir. Sosyal devletin gereği olarak hiçbir çocuğumuz barınma sorunu nedeniyle cemaat ve tarikat yurtlarına mahkum edilmemelidir.