Protesters also denounced a government probe into Ergenekon, an ultra-nationalist Turkish group [EPA]

At least 20,000 people gathered in the centre of the city on Sunday, carrying Turkish flags and pictures of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey.

The protesters called on Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the country's prime minister, to resign for what they said are violations of the country's secular principles.

The protesters chanted slogans like "Turkey is secular and will remain secular" and "We are soldiers of Ataturk", as they marched towards Ataturk's mausoleum.

Some demonstrators also denounced a recent government probe into what authorities have said is an alleged plot to overthrow the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.

Government probe

Turkish authorities have arrested nearly 200 people as part of the investigation into the ultra-nationalist Ergenekon group.

Prosecutors accuse the group of planning a campaign of bombings and attacks to undermine the Islamic-rooted government.

Government critics say the investigation into Ergenekon is the government's response to a failed 2008 lawsuit to ban the AK Party on the grounds of anti-secular activities.

Secularists accuse the AK Party of seeking to replace Turkey's secular system with one based on sharia, or Islamic law.

The AK Party rejects the allegations.

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