The decision came after the calls to protest the appointment of Prof. Melih Bulu as a rector to Boğaziçi University by the decree of President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

“Given that the gathering planned to be held might have a negative impact on the efforts to protect society from the pandemic and to contain the spread of the pandemic, all types of meetings, demonstrations and marches have been banned,” said Yerlikaya, in a statement on his Twitter account.

Melih Bulu is academician, politician and current rector of Boğaziçi University and has a doctorate in finance.

He has been appointed as rector recently by government with a decree on January 1, 2021.

The appointment was protested by students who were outraged by the appointment which they deemed to be a political movement by AK Party.