PROTEST IN BANGALORE ON CHERNOBYL DAY
April 26, 2011 . 5 pm. Venue: Town Hall
Dear friends,
25 years have passed after Chernobyl nuclear accident. During this period, most of the western countries have stopped building new nuclear plants. India however, is pursuing this dangerous technology in an aggressive manner.
Chernobyl : An estimated 65,000 to 105,000 people were killed due to Chernobyl nuclear accident. Chernobyl released a thousand times more radiation than the Hiroshima bomb into the atmosphere. The wind carried particles of radiation up to Europe . In Holland , thousands of cattle where dumped as radiation waste. People are still dying and will continue to die for generations due to this accident. There have been at least 22 major and thousands of minor nuclear accidents before and after Chernobyl !
Fukushima : The response of the nuclear advocates after Chernobyl was that it was due to poor Soviet technology and bureaucratic nature of the system. They conveniently forgot the Three Mile Island accident in the United States . And now, Japan , a country which excelled in technology has become a victim of its own creation. Unlike India , the Japanese have imposed strict standards for plant construction. But still, the accident took place. Water, food, air and even essential commodities in Japan today carry the potential of a catastrophe of cancer and genetic disorders for generations. Radiation from the nuclear explosion has already reached up to California . Given the context of connections through water, wind, trade, animal, birds and insect population, common sense would tell us that radiation has already reached India . However, with the past legacy of silence and lies of the nuclear establishment, it would be very difficult for the people of this country to discover the truth, about the real impact of Fukushima on India .
Nuclear India : As far as India is concerned, disaster is a continuing phenomenon. Most of the nuclear set ups here are producing cancer and genetic disorders regularly. Indian Rare Earths, Kota, Jadhuguda, Kalpakkam, Kaiga and other bodies of Department of Atomic Energy have produced cancer, down syndrome, skin disorders and reproductive problems for both men and wome n. The extent of damage so far is still to be studied properly by independent researchers.
Kaiga: As per reports, Yellapur panchayat, which is 20 km away from Kaiga has recorded a ten fold increase of cancer cases. Many abortion cases are also noticed. The officials have always denied any leak from Kaiga. Normal functioning of the plant will release radiation through the regular water release as well as through air. A nuclear plant generates 20 to 30 tonnes of nuclear waste every year. No Science has so far found any safe mechanism for disposing nuclear waste. Eminent scientists have warned us about the alarming quantities of nuclear waste being generated and absolutely inadequate mechanisms and practices to handle it in India . But these warnings have gone on deaf ears of the authorities. Given the connections of water, wild life, air and agriculture,Radiation from Kaiga can reach Bangalore without much effort. The question therefore is: Do we have a right to safe living? At the time of Chernobyl disaster, 200,000 pregnant mothers were asked to abort their children. If a similar accident takes place in Kaiga, what would be the implication for the women and children of Karnataka?
People's Right: It has come to a stage that if we need a safe life, we need to come out on streets and demand it. Our safety will not be given as a charity. It is time that all citizen's groups come together and demand for a nuclear free world. If we leave our fate to nuclear scientists and politicians, the next Chernobyl may be right here. With this realization, in order to remember 25 years of Chernobyl , many groups in Bangalore have come together under the banner of Peoples' Solidarity Concerns , to strongly assert and demand an end to this nuclear madness. We request all those who care for humanity to support this protest. Better to Be Active than to Be Radioactive!
We condemn:
1. The absolute secrecy of the nuclear establishment and the total undemocratic functioning of the Department of Atomic Energy. We are shocked that in this democratic country, the Department of Atomic Energy is not even accountable to the Indian Parliament!
2. The illegal detention and harassment of 134 activists protesting peacefully against the Jaitapur power plant including Arti Chokshi, Secretary, PUCL, Karnataka and colleague of Peoples' Solidarity Concerns. This clearly explains the undemocratic functioning of the nuclear establishment, which tolerates no criticism .
We Demand:
• An immediate halt to all existing and future nuclear power projects.
• An independent enquiry into the already existing health effects created by the nuclear power projects.
• Proper relief, medical care and compensation for those affected with cancer, down syndrome and other health problems due to the functioning of the nuclear power plants.
• A complete review of the Indian official secrets act under which the Nuclear insanity is perpetuated.
No More Chernobyl , No More Three Mile Island , No more Fukushima !
It is Better to Be Active now than to Being Radioactive tomorrow!
PEOPLES' SOLIDARITY CONCERNS, Bangalore
Contact: Jagadish G Chandra: 09448394365
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