At a panel organized by the Education Affairs Presidency of HÜDA PAR, titled "I Choose My Mother Language," discussions underscored the urgent need to protect and promote the Kurdish language in an environment where it has faced decades of systemic suppression and marginalization.

HÜDA PAR Batman MP Serkan Ramanlı, one of the key speakers at the event held in Istanbul, passionately urged Kurdish families to actively choose elective mother tongue classes for their children. In his speech, Ramanlı highlighted a truth that has been evident for generations: languages are not merely tools of speech, but symbols of cultural survival and national resilience.

"The languages that people have are neither a superiority nor something to be ashamed of. They are a blessing given by Allah," he stated. "According to our belief, people are equal in creation. None of us is better than another. We are all servants of Allah. We are brothers in Islam. A brother should be a brother to his brother."

The history of the Kurdish language in Türkiye is one marked by suppression, bans, and systemic erasure. Ramanlı reminded attendees of the historical injustices that led to this linguistic crisis, pointing out that 120 years ago, arbitrary colonialist borders were drawn across the Middle East, splitting Kurdish communities into four different states: Türkiye, Iraq, Syria, and Iran. Within Türkiye, the formation of the state in the early 20th century saw an aggressive policy of assimilation, in which Kurdish and other minority languages such as Zazaki, Laz, Circassian, and Abaza were banned.

"Not only Kurdish, but also other languages were prohibited. Turkish was imposed as the sole language, and everything outside of it was erased," Ramanlı noted. "For decades, assimilation and denial continued, and many of our people stopped speaking their language due to systematic repression. Today, even though the ban is no longer legally enforced, the legacy of these policies continues to harm our communities."

One of the most alarming issues discussed at the panel was the gradual disappearance of the Kurdish language among the younger generation. Decades of forced assimilation, lack of formal education in Kurdish, and the prioritization of Turkish in all official institutions have resulted in many Kurdish families failing to pass their language on to their children. "Unfortunately, our language is slowly disappearing among ourselves," Ramanlı warned.

The MP stressed the role of mothers in preserving Kurdish, explaining that a child's primary language is determined by what their mother speaks at home. "A lawyer friend of mine once asked me, ‘Does your wife speak Kurdish?’ When I said yes, he asked, ‘Do your children speak Kurdish?’ I said no. Then he told me, ‘Have you ever heard of father tongue? No, because it doesn’t exist. It’s the mother tongue that matters. If mothers speak Kurdish, then so will our children.’ This is why it is crucial for Kurdish mothers to actively use their language at home. If we do not, we risk losing it forever."

In recent years, Türkiye has allowed elective courses in Kurdish within its national curriculum, an opportunity that Ramanlı urged families to seize. "More than half of our people, some say even 80 percent, do not know that this opportunity exists in schools. This is why our meetings and awareness campaigns are so important. Our goal is to ensure that every Kurdish family is aware of their right to request Kurdish-language courses for their children."

However, he also noted that elective courses are not enough. "Today, our efforts are focused on getting Kurdish families to select these courses, but ultimately, our goal must be much bigger: Kurdish should be a primary language of education. Our children should not only learn Kurdish as an elective but should be able to receive their entire education in their mother tongue, just as Turkish students do. Without this, we remain second-class citizens in our own homeland."

The discussion at the panel extended beyond education. It highlighted the broader struggle for Kurdish cultural and national identity within Türkiye. Ramanlı emphasized the importance of standing strong in Kurdish literature, history, customs, and traditions, saying: "If we do not stand firm in our Zaza or Kurdish identity, how will we support our Turkish brothers? Our strength lies in our culture, our language, and our historical roots. The stronger we are in these areas, the more we can contribute to the brotherhood and unity of this land."

He also addressed the issue of political resistance and the need for collective action: "We live in a country where public demand has the power to push the government into action. If we remain silent, if we do not bring these issues into the public debate, we will never achieve our goal. That is why we must work together to bring Kurdish language rights to the forefront of our national agenda."

The panel ended with a strong call to action: Kurdish families must take the lead in ensuring the survival of their language. "We must not let what happened to us happen to our children. Today, the state gives us an opportunity—albeit a limited one—to officially select Kurdish courses. If we do not take advantage of this, we are complicit in the slow erasure of our identity," Ramanlı said.

The struggle for linguistic rights is not just about education; it is about cultural preservation, dignity, and self-determination. If Kurdish is not spoken, written, and taught, it risks becoming a language of history rather than a language of the future.

For Kurdish people, the fight for their language is a fight for their very existence. It is a battle that must be fought in schools, in homes, and in public spaces. The choice is clear: either embrace and demand linguistic rights, or watch as an ancient, rich, and beautiful language fades into oblivion. The time to act is now. (ILKHA)