Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kilicdaroglu, 74, who is running against incumbent president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the presidential election on May 14, released a video on Twitter titled “Alevi.”

Since Kilicdaroglu was elected leader of the secular CHP in 2010, much has been said about his roots in the eastern province of Tunceli and his Alevi identity. Kilicdaroglu himself has never made it an issue until Wednesday, when he openly discussed it.

Turkey is a majority Sunni country, with some in the conservative and religious population viewing Alevis as apostates; therefore people adhering to the Alevi faith generally avoid revealing their beliefs in public out of fear of facing discrimination or social alienation.

Alevis follow a heterodox Islamic tradition that separates them from Sunni and Shiite Muslims. Some view it as a cultural identity as much as a religious faith.

 “Dear sons and daughters who will vote for the first time [in the upcoming elections]. I am an Alevi,” Kilicdaroglu said, adding that he is an honest Muslim who would never violate the rights of others and who would never use the state for personal gain.

There was a tacit reference to Erdogan and his Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Kilicdaroglu’s remarks since Erdogan and his government are accused of corruption, favoritism and numerous rights violations despite making frequent references to the values of Islam, which forbids such actions.

Kilicdaroglu said every person’s identity is what makes them special and that they should stand behind it proudly.

He called on young people to help Turkey cross a “critical threshold” and support his presidency despite claims that an Alevi cannot assume the country’s top state post.

 “We will no longer talk about our identities, but rather our successes. We will no longer talk about separations and differences but instead, our common features and dreams. Will you be with me on this journey of change?… Are you ready to pull this discriminatory system out by its roots?” Kilicdaroglu asked young people.

The CHP leader’s remarks about his Alevi roots unleashed a flood of appreciation and praise on social media, with many congratulating him for breaking a taboo. The video has been watched more than 50 million times in 24 hours, making it one of the most watched videos in a single day on Twitter.

Nick Ashdown, a Canadian journalist who mainly covers Turkey, described Kilicdaroglu's statement as “historic.”

 “Historic statement from KK, talking openly about his Alevi background, something he’s very rarely done in the past. A huge deal from a major politician, breaking a big taboo and taking ownership of his identity (which Erdogan tries to throw in is face),” he tweeted.

“These are not just the words of a leader but of a sincere and good person. Turkey’s opp leader Kilicdaroglu speaks at eye-level with Turkey’s citizens, sharing about him being an Alevi-a religious minority (and shunned in the past by some conservative Muslims). He has my respect,” tweeted Louis Fishman, an assistant professor of Modern Middle East history at Brooklyn College, City University of New York.

Turkish journalist Asli Aydıntasbas described Kilicdaroglu’s video as “incredibly courageous,” saying he is “almost breaking a political taboo in Turkey.”

Jailed Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas said on Twitter through his lawyers that he congratulates Kilicdaroglu for his beautiful messages and sincerely supports them, adding that it is possible to live without discrimination, equally and peacefully, in the country.

Kilicdaroglu’s statements also prompted some Alevis on social media to recount their memories when they had to hide their beliefs during their childhood or at their workplace or faced discrimination for being an Alevi. They said they were very much honored by Kilicdaroglu’s courageous remarks.

One Twitter user said his late father, who used to tell him to never reveal his Alevi faith, fearing that he could face discrimination, would be proud if he had seen Kilicdaroglu today.

Turkey has long denied Alevi demands for state recognition, and Alevi houses of worship, known as cemevis, are not officially recognized by the state, hence given no financial assistance.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Devlet Bahceli, leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), as well as some pro-government figures criticized Kilicdaroglu for talking about his Alevi faith. They accused him of playing with the country’s sensitivities ahead of the elections.

Kilicdaroglu is the presidential candidate of an opposition alliance of six parties that espouse different ideologies and world views.