Anti-Kudankulam Protest in The Hindu
Activists, academics take out anti-Kudankulam protest in city
Academics, activists and students gathered at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening to express solidarity with residents of Kudankulam, who have been resisting the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project.
Organised by the New Socialist Alternative, the demonstration saw participation from various anti-nuclear activist groups and organisations that have been campaigning for the rights of the Tamil-speaking population in Sri Lanka.
Protesters spoke about the repression of people in Kudankulam, and on the perils of nuclear energy and plants in the wake of the massive nuclear meltdown of reactors in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in March 2011.
“With such nuclear plants, there is always a possibility of great accidents. We need to look at other possible alternatives such as solar energy,” said Atul Chokshi, professor from the Indian Institute of Science. Prof. Chokshi emphasised that the consent of residents should be taken before any such development plans.
Ambrose Pinto, principal of St. Josephs’ College of Arts and Sciences, said the government’s role in and response to the Kudankulam issue has been “entirely disappointing”.
“This is a very strong example of being anti-democratic. There are so many people living close to the plant. The radiation will affect them,” he said.
Condemned
The protesters singled out the former president A.P.J Abdul Kalam, and condemned his call for support for the nuclear project. They demanded that all existing and future nuclear projects be suspended.
Source: The Hindu
Anti-Kudankulam Protest in the DNA
Solidarity Protest held in Bangalore against Nuke Power
More than 100people staged a solidarity demonstration in front of the Town Hall on Wednesday in support of the anti-nuclear struggle in Kudankulam and other places around the world.
“This is to bring awareness on the anti-nuclear struggle in Kudankulam and other places where people have been fighting locally against armed police to defend their land, coast, life and livelihood,” said Jagadeesh, a member of the New Socialist Alternative.
The focus of the protest was to highlight the ill- effects of the nuclear plant proposed to be set up in Kudankulam.
“Anti- nuclear activities are now after former president APJ Abdul Kalam and other people of the scientific fraternity who have given their blanket support to the proposal. It appears they have not woken up to the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters,” he said.
The protesters asked the Centre to stop the commissioning of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant immediately.
“We want the police to stop the brutality against protesters and restore democracy and halt all existing and future nuclear projects. We want massive public investment in renewable energy projects that are sustainable and environment friendly. We also want a complete review of the Indian Official Secrets Act under which nuclear insanity is being perpetuated,” he said.
Source: DNA