Anti-nuclear activists in Bangalore, Karnataka observed International Solidarity Day with the ongoing struggle of the people of Idinthakarai and Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. This event was also simultaneously organised in London, Berlin, Antwerp, Colombo and Malaysia. About 120 people attended the protest held in Bangalore. Some of the main speakers at the event included: Jagadish G Chandra (CWI-India), Atul Chokshi (Scientist, Indian Institute of Science), S. Balaji (May 17 Movement), Ambrose Pinto (Principal, St. Joseph College) and others.
The main focus of the protest event was to highlight the erosion of democratic principles as enshrined in the Indian constitution, which puts the interests of the ordinary people as paramount. The speakers highlighted the brutality with which the Indian state has dealt with the anti-nuclear struggle in Kudankulam, they said nowhere in the history of the world, not even when the imperialist Britain was ruling India, were charges of SEDITION been slapped against as many as 55,000 people from a region, which includes, elderly, women and children.
The other points of focus were the concerns of the people of India is the conspiracy that is being hatched against the people in the name of “DEVELOPMENT” which in the last two decades of aggressive neo-liberal offensive has only brought misery and impoverishment to the majority of working poor, and only a tiny minority of the rich and powerful siphoning away the unimaginable profits.
The anti-nuclear activists were also critical of the fact that such a blanket support given by Dr. Abdul Kalam and other “scientific” people who have not yet woken up from several nuclear disasters including Chernobyl and Fukushima. At a time when developed countries are moving away from nuclear technology, the support of Abdul Kalam to Kudankulam nuclear plant is a matter of great concern to the people of India, that is likely to have disastrous consequences to the entire region of South Asia.
At this event today on 24th October 2012, Solidarity Protest statements from fellow anti-nuclear activists and concerned citizens from Sri Lanka and Pakistan addressed to the government of India were read out. The activists at the protest demanded the following * Stop commissioning of the Kudankulam nuclear plant immediately *Stop police brutality against the Kudankulam fighters and restore the democratic right to dissent & protest * An immediate halt to all existing and future nuclear power projects. * We demand massive public investment into renewable energy projects that are sustainable and environmentally friendly * An independent people’s enquiry into the health effects created by the nuclear power projects & proper relief and rehabilitation for those affected by nuclear power plants. * A complete review of the Indian official secrets act under which the Nuclear insanity is being perpetuated * A referendum of the people of Kudankulam and surrounding districts to decide on the future of the Nuclear Project there.
This International Solidarity event was jointly organized by New Socialist Alternative (CWI-India), May 17 Movement, Campaign to Reclaim Democracy, Tamil Solidarity and many progressive individuals of Bangalore.
For more news reports, click on this link.
Jagadish G Chandra
New Socialist Alternative (CWI-India)
