Turkish high school files complaint against students for listening to Kurdish music

The administration of a religious vocational high school in the western province of Aydın has filed complaint against a group of students for listening to Kurdish music and dancing the “halay” folk dance. 

The Aydın Anatolian Religious Vocational High School administration filed a complaint against a 14-year-old student, identified only by the initials of Y.B., and five of his friends, Doğan News Agency reported. 

The school counselor saw the students dancing during the break and confiscated a flash memory card containing the Kurdish song. The counselor then informed the school administration about the incident and they all filed complaints against the students. 

The students were called to testify by the police upon the orders of the prosecutor’s office on Feb. 14. 

Y.B., who went to the police headquarters with his father, 36-year-old A.B., and his friends were referred to court on charges of “making terrorist propaganda.” They were later released on condition of judicial control due to a lack of evidence. 

After the incident, the students allegedly began experiencing psychological problems as they were ostracized by other students, ultimately prompting them to avoid school altogether.

A.B., who is the owner of the flash memory card, said the children were subjected to unfair treatment and that he would file a complaint against the school administration, adding that no one can be declared a “traitor” for listening to Kurdish music. 

“I learnt about the issue with a phone call from the police on Feb. 14. The school administration should’ve informed us initially. We are not the people to betray our land and our people. No one can treat us this way.

 I’m a tradesman and I’m Kurdish. They branded us as terrorists when I am a father who wants to raise children that will serve the nation,” he said.

Neither the school administration nor the Aydın police force commented on the issue.