Nuclear weapons are a tool of deterrence. It however requires the strongest possible safety and security measures. Ever since India became nuclear, there have been a number of incidents which show that poor safety measurements are making India’s nuclear program a continuous threat to the environment as well as the humanity. Several international organizations have expressed their grave concern over the poor safety and security measures of Indian nuclear sites.
On May 4, 1987, India shut down its nuclear reactor located in Kalpakkam for two years after its core areas were damaged. It was a huge environmental loss. On September 10, 1989, the Tarapur nuclear reactor in Maharashtara started leaking radioactive iodine and it took almost year and a half to repair it. It’s not an easy to assess the damage but climate change and global warming are a clear example of its consequences. The Kundakulam nuclear power plant located in Tamil Nadu has been declared a threat to the environment. As many as 11 Indian nuclear scientists have died during the last four years in highly mysterious circumstances. (NDTV, Oct 8). The scientists working in different laboratories either died in blasts or by hanging themselves. If we take only one aspect of the separatist movements in India, it is quite evident that Indian governments are helpless in tackling the issue.
Maoist, Naxalite and Khalistan movements spread in almost 21 Indian states are posing great risk to nuclear weapons. Modi government’s patronization of extremist Hindus and fanatic militant Shiv Sena has also put India, as well as the world, to triggering greater risk of a nuclear incident. India is likely to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group; even the civil nuclear deal making countries including the US, have failed to voice concerns about such vulnerabilities which can be disastrous for the region. Meanwhile, the analysts hold the Modi government responsible for continuously posing threat to peace in South Asia. “India has no friendly relations with its neighbors, nor is it readying to understand that intransigence on its part would serve no purpose to peace in the region.” Arundhati Roy’s article while returning national award is a big eye opener.
QASIM MEHMOOD QURESHI
Islamabad
