AKP's search of Alevi villages for salaried employees draws reaction

The Democratic Alevi Associations (DAD) and Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Association (PSAKD) held a press conference in Dersim on Tuesday to condemn the search for "salaried dedes" by government teams in Alevi villages, cemevis, and associations. Representatives of political parties and civil society were also present.

Speakers accused the AKP (Justice and Development Party) government of trying to undermine Alevi's beliefs and demanded an end to what they called the "rejectionist and assimilationist approach.

"We want to live with our faith and language. We reject these approaches and demand they be abandoned," PSAKD Dersim branch leader Ekber Kaya told the Cemevi representatives.

Dersim MP Ayten Kordu said the government was trying to make Alevis obedient by offering salaries to their elders. "They want to make the Alevis obey them. This means 'submit to the monist mentality,'" she said.

Kordu vowed that Alevis would continue to go their way, as they've always done: "We have never obeyed anyone, and we will not obey anyone from now on."