One day after her appointment, she was expelled from the university following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt, after which a state of emergency (OHAL) was declared. As a result Gülmen faced allegations and was accused of being a member of the "Fethullahçı Terrorist Organization / Parallel State Structure" (FETÖ/PDY).[1] On 9 November 2016, in front of the Human Rights Monument on Yüksel Street in Ankara, she started a movement with the motto 'I Want My Job Back' to return to her lost job. Gülmen was detained dozens of times during the protests, and finally she went on a hunger strike with her fellow teacher Semih Özakça.[7] During this period, Gülmen's weight fell from 59 kilos to 34 kilos and she ended the hunger strike on 26 January 2018 after the OHAL Commission rejected the objection regarding the issuance of the Decree Law.[8]