Nuclear dilemna

 

 

V.R. Krishna Iyer

Veteran lawyer activist

A national controversy is raging over the havoc potential of the Nuclear Deal under discussion between India and the U.S, the latter being a mega-power dominating the unipolar world and the former a nation with Lord Buddha, King Asoka and Mahatma Gandhi as its heritage. Hiroshima and Nagasaki-micro nuclear by current macro-nuclear American standards, were first victims of villainous atomic bombs which inflicted diabolic carnage, never to be repeated anywhere in the globe because nuclear terrorism can wipe out humanity and life in all its forms in case an international clash provokes a barbarous bully blitz by a Big Power. So, recently I wrote to our top Executive and great statesman Dr. Manmohan Singh:

I have always regarded you as a straightforward statesman although I may not agree with some of your views and values and your Government is nationalist in ethos not an exotic satellite of a Big Power. So I was happy to read the powerful presentation by the Hindu of the message to the U.S sent by your Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee ‘Do not transfer your problems to us’ is the firm expression of Sri. Pranab Mukherjee dealing with the nuclear deal with the U.S ‘that hangs in the balance’.

President Bush, in imperial violation of the sovereignty of other nations like Afghanistan and Iraq, has hurt me because who knows what his attitude would be towards India’s sovereignty if we disagree with him. Our President Dr. Kalam, in an address delivered in Bangalore has exposed the U.S for the way it has led down India on former occasions. Therefore, as a patriotic jurist, I appeal to you to be relentless in defending our swaraj which shall never be under the pressure of Yankee Raj. The Prime Minister, in a lucid reply dated June 23, 2007, stated his viewpoint and desired me to convey it to concerned countrymen. That is fair and that is why I present to the people this statement which does not mean my doubts are dissolved or that President Bush and his grave breaches of international law vis a vis the sovereignty of other nations will be forgiven by history or humanity. I quote excerpts from the letter of the PM. ‘It is unfortunate that the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with the United States-which is still under discussion-should have become an object of controversy. I would, however, like to assure you that the approach we have taken in these negotiations is fully in keeping with our national interests. As one of the most eminent figures of our country, you will appreciate what I mean. The ‘Achilles’ heel’ of India’s future growth potential is the energy deficit. The likelihood of an energy crunch is already becoming evident, and there is an urgent need to overcome this situation. We are not well endowed with fossil fuel. Our coal supplies are hardly unlimited and, unfortunately, are of poor quality. With growing concerns over GHG emissions, coal cannot, hence, become a major energy source. We have substantial hydro resources, but there are environmental concerns concerning large dams. It is this, which made us look at nuclear energy as an alternative source. For many years, we have remained victims of a discriminatory, iniquitous nuclear regime-almost a form of nuclear apartheid. The Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with the United States is a manifest attempt on our part to overcome this situation. We are hopeful that it would enable us to break out of our existing nuclear isolation. That we would be able to do so without sacrificing our strategic programme, our national pride and our independence, will be no mean achievement. You can rest assured that under no circumstances, would we compromise our independence of action or alter the contours of our Foreign and Defence policies. I shall be grateful if you could convey this same assurance to others who may share similar concerns.’

I am not an atomic expert and cannot pronounce judgment on the cult of the atom which is considered a dangerous secret in this country. There are intellectuals, technologists and politicians who take opposing stands and claim energy crisis in the offing as the alibi for nuclear plants. But the safety of the billions of Indians cannot be gambled with. Although I have faith in the integrity of the Prime Minister, it is beyond me to permit Indian humanity to be held to nuclear ransom. The Prime Minister must comply with the Parliamentary pledges which are on-negotiable.