Murathan Mungan Dismissed from University After 21 Years of Teaching; Wave of Protests in Turkey

Details of the Notification and Sudden Termination Murathan Mungan, considered one of the most prestigious literary and academic figures in contemporary Turkey, announced the forced end of his activities at Istanbul Bilgi University through a social media post on July 5, 2026. According to his statements, the official notification of this decision was delivered to him on July 3, 2026 [1]. Mungan, who served as a faculty member in the Department of History and Director of the Master's Program in History for 21 years, stated that this decision was made by the university's "appointed management" (trustee) and that all his teaching duties, thesis supervisions, and administrative responsibilities were halted before the end of the current semester [2].

Possible Reasons; From Kurdish Research to the Book "Dersim Massacre" Although the university management has not provided a specific or justified reason for this dismissal, Mungan believes the action is rooted in his recent academic activities and publications. In his statement, he noted that he has been researching topics such as Kurdish rights, Alawites, language rights, and minorities for years [1]. Specifically, he believes that the publication of his latest book in 2026 on the subject of the "Dersim Massacre" (Dersim Kırımı) and the controversial interviews surrounding it were the primary factors for the anger of the university management and higher authorities [2]. Mungan emphasized that the academic management had previously raised no objections to the quality of his teaching or scientific activities, and that this dismissal is purely political.

Widespread Reactions and Legal Proceedings News of the dismissal of this renowned man of letters has triggered a wave of sharp reactions in Turkey's social media and cultural circles. Many writers, artists, and human rights activists have described this move as a "policy of suppression" and an "undeclared martial law" over the academic environment [3]. In response to this situation, Mungan announced that he, along with his lawyers, will begin the legal process to appeal this illegal and unethical decision. He emphasized that this battle is not just for returning to work, but a defense of "academic freedom," which is under severe pressure in Turkey [1].

Political Context and the State of Academic Freedom in Turkey This incident occurs while the Turkish academic environment in 2026 continues to face serious challenges resulting from government appointments in private and public universities. Critics believe that the dismissal of figures like Mungan is a clear message to other academics to avoid entering sensitive historical and political fields [3]. Given Murathan Mungan's international standing, this case is expected to have a wide resonance in international legal forums, increasing pressure on Bilgi University management for transparent accountability.