21.07.2026 00:10
Businesswoman Tijen Mergen, a graduate of Boğaziçi University, became the center of controversy after a post she made following the school's 159th Graduation Ceremony. Mergen, who targeted the attire of conservative students and their families attending the ceremony, sparked widespread public backlash with her remarks emphasizing "modernity."
Boğaziçi University graduate businesswoman Tijen Mergen made a controversial post on her social media account following the school's 159th Graduation Ceremony.
Mergen, who used statements targeting conservative families and students at the ceremony, openly expressed her discomfort with the atmosphere on campus.
"I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE A MORE MODERN PORTRAIT"
Despite emphasizing respect and tolerance for differences throughout her post, Mergen's intolerant attitude toward the appearance of families attending the ceremony drew attention. In her post, she stated: "Students in chadors, mothers, fathers in skullcaps — thousands of people who have worked for years to experience that proud day. I would have liked to see a more modern portrait in one of Turkey's leading scientific institutions."
BACKLASH FROM USERS OVER DISCRIMINATION
Many social media users harshly criticized Mergen's post, noting that she used discriminatory language targeting people's clothing and religious symbols under the guise of "modernity."
The attempt to marginalize the pride of graduation at one of Turkey's most established scientific institutions based on clothing and lifestyle became the focus of criticism.
Mergen's statement is as follows;