06.06.2026 09:30
The anecdote told by Rahmi Koç, Honorary Chairman of Koç Holding, at a hospital opening in Izmir drew a very harsh reaction from the DEM Party front, especially from Pervin Buldan. Buldan made a two-word statement, saying, 'No shame at all. Simply disgraceful.'
Businessman Rahmi Koç's telling of a joke that was caught on cameras during a hospital opening he attended yesterday sparked a major crisis in political circles and on social media. Koç, seen telling a joke to guests while touring examination rooms with Binali Yıldırım and the accompanying protocol delegation, faced a harsh reaction from the DEM Party.
REACTION UPON REACTION TO THE JOKE
Rahmi Koç, addressing those around him during the hospital tour, told a joke: 'The doctor listened to the Kurdish woman's complaint and said, "Madam, dress and undress behind the curtain." The woman replied, "Doctor, you undress first."' This drew widespread backlash for allegedly promoting racism and sexism under the guise of humor.
DEM PARTY: RACISM CANNOT BE LEGITIMIZED UNDER HUMOR
Following the footage, the DEM Party headquarters issued an official statement, warning Rahmi Koç to 'Know your place!'
The statement included the following expressions:
“At a hospital opening in Izmir, the sexist rhetoric targeting Kurdish women's language, identity, and body under the guise of humor is a result of the discriminatory policies of the male-dominated power.
It is an indication of how the enmity towards Kurds by the government and capital is fueled through misogyny. We will never allow racism and sexism to be legitimized under the name of humor. Know your place!”
CONTINUOUS ATTACKS FROM DEM PARTY MEMBERS
With the spread of the video, DEM Party deputies also targeted Rahmi Koç through their social media accounts:
Pervin Buldan: Reacting to the footage, Buldan expressed her reaction, noting, 'No shame at all. Disgrace in one word.'
Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit (Group Deputy Chair): Stating that 'Racism and sexism have no language, religion, age, or class,' Koçyiğit invited Rahmi Koç to apologize immediately.
Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu (Kocaeli Deputy): Taking a harsh tone, Gergerlioğlu said, 'To those who say what is the Kurdish issue! The exclusion, insult, and shamelessness in your subconscious have not ended! Rahmi Koç, apologize! Those who laughed at this disgusting joke, apologize! We will not allow the honor of the Kurdish people to be trampled!'