They say one thing leads to other and in my case my readings have led me to a seemingly big problem in a country. I came across a curious blog from a well known Turkish economist. This blog made me curious because for me everthing mentioned was new, the first thing which stuck me was the Gülen Movement. There seems to be a something about this movement which I found unsettling.
The Gülen Movement is a civic society movement inspired by the teachings of Fethullah Gülen which is vying to be the World's leading Muslim Network, the movement is contemporary in its principals stressing on Hizmet (altruistic service to the "common good"), education and interfaith (and intercultural) dialogue. It is considered by many as more mainstream and reasonable than other groups, it also states that it does not affliliate to any Islamic Group.
What this movement is trying to achieve is beyond my knowledge and would require a deep understanding which also is beyond the scope of this article. However, facts mentioned by Dani Rodrik are disturbing enough, there seems to be a effort to silence those against the movement. In one particular case there were forged documents produced in a Turkish court and also some journalists being arrested and detained. It looks like a force inside the establishment is discreetly persecuting the people against this movement. More than 60 journalists are currently being held in custody, this itself shows how things are unsettling, history has shown that when free speech is hindered and journalist arrested a nation moves away from democracy.
The policies and goals of this movement might be contemporary in text but if they resort to unjust ways to achieve these, the whole point of being away from the politics stands void and can be very dangerous for the country. In these days of increasing relations between Turkey and India, India should raise such issues with their government on justice, free speech and democracy. India cannot be seen having relations with a country which stifles free speech and democracy which are against its own core values.
Samant
PS: I cannot take the responsibilty of the facts stated in the wikipedia articles and the blogs mentioned. I have written my opinion and based it on the fact that when the scholars of a country write such controversial matters it should be noted and should be considered.
References:
3.Oh, where have all the competent forgers gone?
4. Gülenists will get you, one way or another
5. What is Islam's Gulen movement?
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