Boğaziçi University administration launched disciplinary investigations into nine students who protested the increase in cafeteria prices to 85 TL and took over the distribution of meals. After food prices at the university were raised for the third time in the same year, students crossed the turnstiles and distributed their own meals. In the following days of the protests, police and private security guards barricaded the area around the cafeteria and prevented students from entering. On the second day of the protest, the university administration opened disciplinary investigations into nine students. The students faced accusations of “disrupting the functioning and peace of the higher education institution,” “obstructing services through occupation and similar acts” and “theft.” The investigation records also cited slogans including “We do not want a trustee rector,” “Long live student solidarity” and “Universities are ours, they will be liberated with us,” as well as banners defending the right to free and quality food. Sendika.Org reported that pro-government media outlets and social media accounts targeted the students by accusing them of stealing food. The report also recalled disciplinary penalties imposed on Boğaziçi students after the Occupy Café protests in March 2025 and investigations opened over protests at Hacettepe University. It emphasized that restrictions on leaflet distribution and protest activities at universities had increased and that students’ demands for the right to food were met with disciplinary sanctions.
31 October 2026
Sendika.Org