Urgent appeal: Students Against Nuclear Power on 5th day of fast
Solidarity with students on fast against nuclear power
This is an appeal to extend our solidarity with the youth of Kerala who are on an indefinite fast since the 10th of March at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi demanding that the Indo-U.S. Nuclear Deal be completely rejected and also demanding that nuclear power, which is a destructive means of energy generation, be abandoned.
We would all recall that the framework for a Nuclear Deal between India and the United States of America was laid down during the BJP-led NDA Government, but the specifics of the deal were rigorously worked out and pursued by the Congress-led UPA Government, though the deal has been postponed temporarily, due to resistance from various fronts and in particular from the political left.
The Indo-US Deal more commonly referred to as the 123 Deal is at a critical stage especially since Mr. George Bush is keen to see it finalized before he goes out of power. The International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) negotiations with the UPA Govt. seeking the support of the NDA leaders indicate that the deal is being pushed by our leaders in spite of mass and public protests and demonstrations at various levels including from large numbers of youth and students.
Nuclear Power has proved to be destructive of natural resources right from the Uranium Mining in Jaduguda or Kota to plants elsewhere, is also economically unviable. The deal, which has major ramifications for the sovereignty of the sub-continent and would bring in foreign powers and forces in critical areas, is being pushed through without any public debate. It is therefore commendable that the students and youth are demonstrating against the deal, more particularly in a fast-changing politically hostile climate wherein the State seems to be showing little concern for basic issues of peace, sovereignty and resisting imperialism.
Divya, Krupa, Tomy Jacob, Abdul Rehman, Saji Mathew and Ramziya Rehmat are on their 5th day of fast. Let us all join these youth and extend our solidarity in whatever way we can. Please write letters to the honorable President of India, Smt. Pratibha Patil, honorable Prime Minister of India, Mr. Manmohan Singh and the honorable Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, Smt. Sonia Gandhi and others in this regard, expressing your opposition to the deal and nuclear power. Let us also demand that no oppressive measures are resorted to by the State to end the fast of the youth.
You can write to them at sanpindia@gmail.com or call 09990166975 expressing your solidarity and support.
In Solidarity
Medha Patkar, Ashish Mandloi, Kamala Yadav, Yogini Khanolkar, Kailash Awasya
Write to:
Smt Pratibha Patil
The President of India
Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi - 110 004
+91-11-23017290, +91-11-23017824
presssecy@alpha.nic.in (Press Secretary of the President)
Write to the president at presidentofindia@rb.nic.in
The Prime Minister of India
Fax: 011 23019817, 23016996 (Res)
Off: +91-11-2301-6857, Res: +91-11-23015603
E-Mail pmosb@pmo.nic.in , http://pmindia.nic.in/write.htm
Ms. Sonia Gandhi
Chairperson, Indian National Congress
Fax: 011 23018651
Email: 10janpath@vsnl.net, soniagandhi@sansad.nic.in
Solidarity with students on fast against nuclear power
This is an appeal to extend our solidarity with the youth of Kerala who are on an indefinite fast since the 10th of March at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi demanding that the Indo-U.S. Nuclear Deal be completely rejected and also demanding that nuclear power, which is a destructive means of energy generation, be abandoned.
We would all recall that the framework for a Nuclear Deal between India and the United States of America was laid down during the BJP-led NDA Government, but the specifics of the deal were rigorously worked out and pursued by the Congress-led UPA Government, though the deal has been postponed temporarily, due to resistance from various fronts and in particular from the political left.
The Indo-US Deal more commonly referred to as the 123 Deal is at a critical stage especially since Mr. George Bush is keen to see it finalized before he goes out of power. The International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) negotiations with the UPA Govt. seeking the support of the NDA leaders indicate that the deal is being pushed by our leaders in spite of mass and public protests and demonstrations at various levels including from large numbers of youth and students.
Nuclear Power has proved to be destructive of natural resources right from the Uranium Mining in Jaduguda or Kota to plants elsewhere, is also economically unviable. The deal, which has major ramifications for the sovereignty of the sub-continent and would bring in foreign powers and forces in critical areas, is being pushed through without any public debate. It is therefore commendable that the students and youth are demonstrating against the deal, more particularly in a fast-changing politically hostile climate wherein the State seems to be showing little concern for basic issues of peace, sovereignty and resisting imperialism.
Divya, Krupa, Tomy Jacob, Abdul Rehman, Saji Mathew and Ramziya Rehmat are on their 5th day of fast. Let us all join these youth and extend our solidarity in whatever way we can. Please write letters to the honorable President of India, Smt. Pratibha Patil, honorable Prime Minister of India, Mr. Manmohan Singh and the honorable Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, Smt. Sonia Gandhi and others in this regard, expressing your opposition to the deal and nuclear power. Let us also demand that no oppressive measures are resorted to by the State to end the fast of the youth.
You can write to them at sanpindia@gmail.com or call 09990166975 expressing your solidarity and support.
In Solidarity
Medha Patkar, Ashish Mandloi, Kamala Yadav, Yogini Khanolkar, Kailash Awasya
Write to:
Smt Pratibha Patil
The President of India
Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi - 110 004
+91-11-23017290, +91-11-23017824
presssecy@alpha.nic.in (Press Secretary of the President)
Write to the president at presidentofindia@rb.nic.in
The Prime Minister of India
Fax: 011 23019817, 23016996 (Res)
Off: +91-11-2301-6857, Res: +91-11-23015603
E-Mail pmosb@pmo.nic.in , http://pmindia.nic.in/write.htm
Ms. Sonia Gandhi
Chairperson, Indian National Congress
Fax: 011 23018651
Email: 10janpath@vsnl.net, soniagandhi@sansad.nic.in
