PEOPLE CONDEMN NUCLEAR TESTS BY GOVT OF INDIA

DEMAND RESTRAINT ON ALL NUCLEAR HAWKS

We are appalled by the five nuclear tests conducted by the newly appointed Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government. The testing of these destructive weapons on the day of birth and Nirvana of Buddha has but added a sad irony to the entire process. The act has caught everyone by surprise and we consider that this has harmed the short and long term interests of our country, of peace, development and harmonious international relations. The kind of "nationalistic" jingoism that is being fomented by the powerholders, the nuclear protagonists and the media is also dangerous as it precludes any balanced and rational analysis of the situation arising out of the adventurist step by the new government. According to the protagonists, the nuclear tests by India on May 11 and 13, have changed the international discourse and India's position in it. However, the change is more to the detriment of the people, national interests and global peace. We, the people's movements and the people working for a sustainable, equitable and humane social-economic order unequivocally condemn the ill- advised step by the Government of India and call for an immediate halt to any such military adventurism in the guise of nationalism.

Contrary to the perception the Government of India wants to create, India has been isolated in the world community because of these nuclear tests. No doubt, the strident reaction by the rich and nuclear weapon nations is mostly an example of double standards these powers have been using about atomic weapons. However, that does not justify India to follow their suit. In fact, the powerholders in India have provided legitimacy to such powers. Besides, a large number of non-nuclear countries from all parts of the world have made their disagreement known. India has betrayed the trust and expectations of the peoples all over the World, including those in India, of playing a leading role in a peaceful, nuclear weapons free international relations. After Independence, India has taken a principled stand against nuclear weapons and general militarization of the globe. India's moral and political power in international politics was largely dependent upon such principled stand and pursuit of a new international economic and political order. This stand has been paying short term and immediate dividends to our country in the international community. All along these years, international community has been taking the Indian view seriously and has mostly adopted a tough posture towards the tantrums by Pakistan. That apart, India has forfeited the opportunity and historical responsibility to lead the march towards a more humane, peaceful world. We too have become the part of the Global Market of Military-Industrial complex.

Curiously enough, the nuclear test business was never seriously discussed and neither a case was prepared for such an action. The tests were preceded by an attack on China and the Prime Minister is reported to have justified the tests to the U.S. President on account of the purported threat from China. Immediately after the test, the US President expressed the wish that the Indian government should sign the CTBT, and the next day the Government has shown its willingness to agree to some of the provisions of CTBT. The apparent contradiction needs to be explained. Moreover, while the government had put up a brave face against the threatened sanctions by the U.S. and other countries, till the other day, all the powerholders have been emphasizing the importance of International aid. Wherefrom, the government of India got the resources and capabilities to face the grave economic situation which could not have been solved without international capital and aid ? Has this government worked out any alternatives for that ?

The nuclear tests are being justified on account of the national pride and glory. The real glory would have been - the availability of clean drinking water, housing, employment, minimum health services and opportunities for education. The Government, rattled by the political squabbles and unwieldy economic situation sought a convenient way out for diverting attention from the basic issues by projecting an issue which has nothing to do with the basic problems of this country or of international politics. The adventurist step will definitely provide alibi and legitimacy for forces like Pakistan and China to unabashedly pursue their gregarious designs. This will further destabilise the security environment in the South Asian region and it has further blotted the image and moral-political authority of India in World Politics.

We appeal to people in India not to fall prey to the frenzy of pseudo-nationalism that is being sought to be whipped up by the Government and all the protagonists of the Bomb. We appeal to all political parties not to be a party to rationalising the act. The people in India alongwith the conscientious people from all parts of the world must try to restrain the nuclear weapon nations in the world and the powerholders in India who pursue hawkish policies while paying lip service to "Peace, Disarmament, Nuclear weapons free world". It is the people's power which can counter any attempts for destructive nuclear power and weapons.