The nuclear assault on India

The nuclear assault on India

In an attempt to keep India “on the move through a sound energy security strategy”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is recommending a political consensus to push forth the development of nuclear energy as an alternate source of energy.

Basing his argument on financial compulsions, Singh said India needs to develop nuclear energy as growth is putting an “unbearable burden on our economy”. Singh went on to say that the emphasis is not only on the development of nuclear energy, but on all energy resources such as coal, gas, oil, hydro and renewable energy. With the economy expanding rapidly, energy security issue becomes critical if it is to support the growth rate.

“No government can afford to shirk this responsibility and hope to find favour with the people,” Singh said in what could be construed as a direct reply to his critics on why he is pursuing the nuclear deal with such vigour. It is obvious that his government is locked in a standoff with ‘the Left’ on this very issue.

With the aftermath of the recent Japanese nuclear power leakage still fresh on people’s mind, is it politically and ethically sound to push forth such a potentially dangerous enterprise to the Indian people?