22.02.2026 18:48
Some petitions sent by citizens to the Turkish Grand National Assembly's Petition Committee have drawn considerable attention. Numerous applications have been made, ranging from the establishment of an astrology department in universities, the closure of tattoo parlors, the punishment of social media influencers, the use of artificial intelligence in judicial processes, the imposition of dress codes for university students and academic staff, to the proposal to change the name of the 'Turkish Grand National Assembly' to 'Great Turkish Grand National Assembly'.
The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Petition Committee, which examines petitions and complaints submitted by citizens to the parliament, received 2,133 applications in January. The number of petitions from women was 456, while men sent 1,670 petitions. Seven of the applications came from legal entities.
UNIFORM REQUIREMENT IN UNIVERSITIES
The most applications to the committee were made in the fields of justice, social security, health, and financial transactions. Among the submitted petitions, there were interesting and noteworthy requests. One person requested a legal regulation to impose a uniform requirement for both academic staff and students in universities.
REQUEST TO BAN SMOKING WHILE WALKING
Another person who applied to the committee argued that being exposed to the smoke, ash, and cigarette butts of people smoking while walking negatively affects public health and environmental cleanliness. Therefore, they requested a ban on smoking while walking, the establishment of designated smoking areas in open spaces, and deterrent penalties for those who do not comply with the rule.
ASTROLOGY DEPARTMENT, AI JUDGING, CLOSURE OF TATTOO ARTISTS...
Some of the interesting or noteworthy requests received by the Petition Committee are as follows: "Legal regulation for state employees to take hourly leave during the day, organization of astrology training and opening a department in universities, removal of the driver's license requirement, holding judicial members accountable for late and incorrect decisions and recourse of awarded compensations to them, closure of tattoo artists, granting wear and tear pay to bank employees, selection of the Minister of National Education by teachers, involvement of academics working in education faculties in teacher appointments, punishment of social media influencers who joke with or film unknown people on the street, conducting trials with artificial intelligence, and changing the name of the 'Turkish Grand National Assembly' to 'Great Turkey National Assembly.'
REQUESTED HELP FOR ENGAGEMENT
One person requested assistance in obtaining their family's approval for engagement. The number of those requesting regulations for disciplinary amnesty for convicts and prisoners, student amnesty, and driver's license amnesty also drew attention.