ruler is its servant." Because, Bediuzzaman wrote, "At this time, due to the lack of Islamic training and weakness in worship, egotism has been strengthened and tin-pot dictators have multiplied." That is to say, under the former regime, which aimed to substitute Western civilization for Islam, as a bribe to its supporters, positions in government and the administration ceased being service and became a means of domination and despotism. Everyone's rights were trampled on and justice was completely destroyed. [^86] As early as 1952 Bediuzzaman warned Menderes that these discountenanced officials, many of whom remained in their positions after 1950 but were compelled by the Democrats to serve the nation rather than oppressing and exploiting it, formed a current of opposition ready to attack the Democrats. A second current was the racialist nationalists. [^87] In fact, both played an important role in the Democrats' overthrow.

[^86]:Ibid., 132, 143.

[^87]:Ibid., 143.

#### Further Victories and the Struggle Continues

Further Victories and the Struggle Continues

The struggle between these various forces continued. Rather, it grew fiercer and more intense. The opposition of İnönü and the RPP towards Menderes grew fiercer the longer the Democrat Party remained in power; with the spread and successes of the Risale-i Nur, supporters of the former regime, still powerful in the police, judiciary, and administrative structure, used their positions to increase pressure on the Risale-i Nur Students. There were further court cases, a campaign of vilification in the press against Bediuzzaman and his students, and Bediuzzaman himself was held under closer surveillance.

Following the general elections of October 1957, which the Democrats again won though with a decreased majority, the opposition stepped up its campaign against the government. By 1959 this had degenerated into the open incitement of disturbances throughout the country. [^88] In order to prevent the RPP returning to power in the face of the difficulties the Democrats were facing, Bediuzzaman openly gave the Democrats his vote in the elections, [^89] and urged all the Risale-i Nur Students to do likewise. As a result, the RPP, who had expected to win the elections, held Bediuzzaman responsible for their defeat. İnönü is even reported to have declared that it was the Nurju's (Risale-i Nur Students) who defeated him. [^90] This was an

[^88]:Türkiye Tarihi, iv, 186.

[^89]:Şahiner, Said Nursi, 415-6.

[^90]:Ali Tayyar, in Son Şahitler, v, 112.