Say NO to Nuclear Power: It is unsafe, polluting, costly and not a solution to our energy crisis

*Say NO to Nuclear Power: It is unsafe, polluting, costly and not a

solution to our energy crisis *

*Invitation *

*Anti-Nuclear protest Demonstration at Jantar Mantar*

*December 8, Jantar Mantar, New Delhi*

Friends,

Livelihoods and safety of millions of people and the fragile ecology in the

large parts of our country is threatened today by the ruling elite’s insane

nuclear power expansion. People in Jaitapur (Maharashtra), Chutka (Madhya

Pradesh), Mithi virdi (Gujarat), Gorakhpur (Haryana) and Kovada (Andhra

Pradesh) are fighting a difficult battle against these projects.

People from these places will gather to demand scrapping of these projects

which are endangering people’s safety and livelihoods. Civil society

organisations from Delhi and other parts of the country are also joining

the protest.

*We would like to invite you for the day long National Anti-Nuclear Protest

Demonstration on 8th of December at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. We do hope

you will be able to join us for this.*

These struggles have highlighted some important local issues as well as

generic risks with nuclear technology:

· Nuclear power projects will displace large number of people and

threaten the livelihoods in surrounding areas. The fisherfolk in

Koodankulam, Jaitapur and Mithivirdi, the mango and cashew cultivators of

Jaitapur and the farmers of Haryana and MP are faced with these challenges.

· The proposed plants are coming up in coastal regions and areas

where ecological balance is already under threat as govt’s own reports

admit. Environmental clearances for these projects have been obtained by

undermining standard norms and procedures.

· Some of the proposed reactor designs are new and untested.

Areva’s EPR has run into trouble in Finland with delays, huge cost

escalations and objections raised by safety regulators.

· Nuclear industry in India has been known for their gross

negligence of safety in the past. Not only is the Indian nuclear

establishment unprepared to handle a large scale accident, it cannot be

trusted to operate properly and safely such large-scale facilities given

their experience chequered with inefficiency, accidents, unaccountability,

non-transparency.

· The nuclear power expansion will put huge burden on the Indian

exchequer as not only nuclear power expensive, the imported reactors are

going to cost exponentially more. Also, the government has exempted nuclear

suppliers from liability and in case of accidents; the financial burden

will fall on the people.

· India’s energy needs can be better met with decentralised energy

production through abundant renewable sources.

And then, are some general problems with nuclear energy itself:

· Nuclear Power is inherently unsafe. While nuclear accidents have

very large-scale and long-term consequences unlike other industrial

accidents, even in the normal operation of reactors, workers and local

population is exposed to radiation which causes diseases such as cancer,

thyroid and leukaemia in long-term.

· Nuclear waste is a problem that has no solution. Substances like

plutonium remain dangerously radioactive for thousands of years. India has

nothing more than an ad-hoc policy on nuclear waste.

· Nuclear power is not a solution to Climate Change. It leaves

substantial carbon footprints in uranium mining, transport, and

construction of reactors.

· After Fukushima, most countries have ordered a phasing out of

nuclear power, underlining the inherent dangers.

The Indian elite is pushing the country towards a dangerous future obsessed

with its idea of neoliberal ‘development’ and under the influence of

nuclear corporate lobbies. When the people in many parts of the country

resisting these projects and facing state repression, we must stand it

solidarity with them.

*We urge you to join us in the protest individually / organisationally and

circulate the invitation widely.*

*Date: December 8, 2011 | Time: 11 AM onwards | Jantar Mantar, New Delhi*

With best regards,

*Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and peace (CNDP) | National Alliance of

People’s Movements (NAPM) | All India Students Association (AISA) | Indian

National Social Action Forum (INSAF) | Delhi Forum | Delhi Solidarity Group

| Delhi Platform | Friends of Koodankulam Anti Nuclear Movement | *

* *

*Do endorse and join the protest !*

*For details contact : Sundaram 9810556134 | Malathi 8285815945 | Kavita

Krishnan 09560756628 | Madhuresh Kumar 9818905316* |