17.12.2025 15:45
In the Sarımsaklı neighborhood of Kayseri, the film "Propaganda" by Kemal Sunal has become a reality. Residents of the neighborhood, which has been divided by barbed wire erected by the State Railways to ensure safety on the train tracks, have protested. The locals, who have to walk 5 kilometers to reach the mosque, the market, or their relatives, are demanding the construction of an overpass.
The residents of Sarımsaklı Neighborhood, located 28 kilometers away from Kayseri, are reacting to the division of their neighborhood. The barbed wire, which was determined to be drawn by the State Railways to ensure safety on the train tracks passing through the middle of the neighborhood, has also split the neighborhood in two.
THEY WALK 5 KILOMETERS TO REACH THE MOSQUE
The residents, who have to walk approximately 5 kilometers to reach the mosque, the market, and their relatives on the other side of the barbed wire, are demanding the cancellation of the application or the construction of an overpass.
"IT'S NOTHING BUT TORTURE FOR THESE PEOPLE"
Mahmut Şahin, the President of the Consumers Union, who visited the neighborhood, stated, "An interesting application has been made in Sarımsaklı, which is a picnic area right next to Kayseri. Just like a century ago, when a village was divided at Turkey's southeastern border, with one side in Iraq and the other in Turkey, Sarımsaklı Neighborhood is now divided as well. North Sarımsaklı and South Sarımsaklı. The State Railways has divided the neighborhood by drawing this barbed wire at midnight. The market and the mosque are on the other side. People will have to walk 5 kilometers to reach the highway. They will have to walk 5 kilometers just to buy bread. When a project is being carried out, a feasibility study should be done. It should be said, 'Let me do whatever needs to be done.' This is nothing but torture for these people. This must be stopped immediately," he said.
"KASKİ LEFT EVERYTHING IN A MESS"
Neighborhood Muhtar Can Öcal also stated, "Our citizens cannot pass to the right or left because everything is closed off. The residential area is left behind. Our elderly and sick cannot go to the market or the mosque. Those without vehicles will have to walk 5 kilometers. The people are wondering what to do. KASKİ came and left everything in a mess. Our people cannot drink water. What is your intention towards our people as all institutions? We want to learn this," he said.
"IT WAS OPEN FOR 70 YEARS, NOW THEY CLOSED IT"
One of the neighborhood residents, Mehmet Gökçen, said, "I have been here for 70 years. This place was always open, but now they have closed it. I don't understand anything about this situation. The entire community is suffering. There are no young people in our village, only the elderly. They cannot go to the mosque either. I leave my house to go to the mosque, and I have to walk at least 4-5 kilometers," he said.
THE INCIDENT REMINDED OF A PROPAGANDA FILM
Moreover, the incident in the neighborhood reminded people of the film "Propaganda," which tells the poignant story of a village divided by a barbed wire, leading to a social, emotional, and spiritual division.