Mr. Ecevit (1925-2006)

[Guest guest]

Vaisnava side of Mr. Bulent Ecevit (1925-2006)

 

Mr. Bulent Ecevit who passed away a few days ago, some of you may not know; was

a four time elected premier of Turkey (1972 to 2002). He was a social democrat,

who brought labor unions into his country. He was also a poet. In the 70s, he

was the biggest hope of the Turkish people. Turks liked his righteous attitude.

He was, what Willie Brandt was for Germany, or what Olof Palme was for Sweden.

He was more of a thinker than a politician. He did not know much about modern

economics. Following a military coup in Greece, the Cyprus war occurred. He

had no choice but invade half of the island. The American embargo which

followed the Cyprus war caused an economic disaster in Turkey. As a result, he

fell into conflict with the right wing opponents. This strife sunk Turkey in

to an economic downturn, political chaos, and social anarchy. A military coup

ended the reign of all political parties in 1980. The prevailing military

leadership banned Ecevit from active politics for ten years

along with the leaders of other political parties. However, people forgave

them and five years later they all returned to politics and re-established

democracy. He separated himself from his old party and formed a new party. At

the age of 74, he was elected premier again. He was the head of a three party

coalition government in 2002 when Turkey was under pressure about Iraq. One

night, after a dinner he was taken to hospital with stomach cramps, fell ill

and lost his health. The country went in to early elections the same year, but,

due to his age, people retired him from politics at the polls this time. His

party could not win a single seat in the parliament; and he retired from active

politics. However, he always remained a most respected political figure in

Turkey.

 

Apart from being a major political figure in Turkey, Mr. Ecevit had another

side which he did not share with everyone. He had a deep fascination for Indian

philosophy and religion. He had studied Bengali and Sanskrit at the University

of London in the 40s. He translated Gitanjali from Bengali in to Turkish and

published it in 1947. He translated poetry books of R. Tagore and of T.S.

Elliot. Later, he translated parts of Bhagavad-gita and published it in his

magazine. He was a good friend of Indra Gandhi and he was loved and respected

by many other Indian politicians. He also tried his best to mediate between

India and Pakistan.

I was fortunate enough to meet him at his residence in Ankara last year.

Earlier he had received a Turkish copy of Bhagavad-gita, As it is, and had

liked it very much. He got in touch with me through a friend of mine, who is a

member of his party, .and invited me to his house. I presented him an

Interactive Bhagavad-gita and some other small Turkish books. He praised Srila

Prabhupadaâaus Gita very much. We chatted for two hours about Bhagavad-gita,

Lord Krsna, Sufizm, Art and literature and even politics. He told me that he

felt like Arjuna on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra when all the generals were

standing against him. He has put his faith in Lord Krsna, and since then, he

was always able to emerge from his ashes. I emphasized the importance of

chanting the Holly Names. He emphasized the importance of rectifying Islam with

Sufi-Vaisnava tradition. He was very happy to hear that Turkish vaisnava

community was slowly forming. It was a very warm meeting and we both

f

elt relaxed in each others

 

company. I shook his hand and thanked him for all his good deeds. I wished

that I had known him earlier.

 

He fell in to state of coma after attending a funeral in a mosque about six

months ago, and finally his bodily functions ceased last Sunday night. A State

funeral will be held for him on Saturday at the very mosque where he was last

seen in public. He was a very kind and intellectual spirit. I believe that Lord

Krsna will take care of him and he will be better situated in his next life.

May Lord be merciful on his soul. Please remember him in your prayers. He was

one of the very few political leaders who knew about Lord Krsna and cared to

translate His timeless words.

I hope this meets you well. Hare Krsna

 

your servant,

Jaya das