The opinion of Ottoman scholars on 31 March incident

31 March Incident is a revolt which started with riot of Hunter Battalion soldiers a year later from announcement of Ottoman constitution of 1876 in 1908. The soldiers and the people from various parts of Ottoman community came to Ayasofya Square to protest against the Ottoman government and they said "We want sharia!". This revolt happened as a result of Committe of Union and Progress's (CUP) oppressive policies. This revolt was interpreted as an anti-constitutionalism especially by many people from the outside of İstanbul. The Army of Action coming from Selanik entered to İstanbul with claim for preservation of Ottoman constitution. The rebels were declared as criminals by the CUP. At the result of the incident, sultan Abdülhamid was dethroned and the CUP became more active and more oppressive in Ottoman policy. Ottoman scholars expressed their opinions about this important incident. Cemiyet-i İlmiye-i İslamiyye published a declaration and it sent an advice committe to the rebels for disappearence of the revolt. Also, famous Ottoman scholars in İstanbul expressed their opinions about the indicent by newspapers, magazines and books. Besides, various Muslim groups from outside of İstanbul expressed their opinions by letters which were sent to Ottoman government. Ottoman scholars interpreted the incident in different ways. According to the majority of them, 31 March rebels was not against to Ottoman constitution. This incident was a reaction against CUP's oppressive policies but it was a sedition and this was contradictory to Islam.