First printed in The Church of England Newspaper.
Church leaders in India staged a one-day hunger strike to protest against the construction of the Koodankulam nuclear power station, saying the Russian-built plant is a danger to the community.
On 27 October 2011 the Bishop in Thoothukudi-Nazareth, the Rt Rev JAD Jebachandran and approximately 100 clergy from his diocese joined activists outside the construction site who were in the 10th day of a hunger strike. The Indian press reported the bishop told the gathering the church was there to extend its moral support to the protesters.
Construction has slowed to halt at the power station in Koodankulam in the Tirunelveli district of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd and the Russian state corporation Atomstroyexport are building two 1 Gigawatt reactors at a projected cost of £2.2 billion. When completed the water-cooled reactors will be the largest atomic power plant in India.
However, local residents have opposed the programme blocking highways to construction traffic and staging hunger strikes to halt the building. In September the Church of South India’s (CSI) General Synod issued a statement expressing “her deep solidarity” with the protestors.
The CSI charged that the “proper rules were not followed in the construction of the Reactor, in a place where the population density is too high.
“We fear that the reactor effluents would kill the fish and further, that the other life inside the sea would be affected by the water discharged from the nuclear reactor into the Bay of Bengal,” the CSI said.
The site chosen for the reactor was in a “tsunami-prone and quake-prone area,” they said, adding that the “huge radioactive accumulations at the plant site could become the principal causes of environmental and health hazards.”
The CSI joined with the local “struggling communities” around the plant and called upon the government to “hold a democratic and transparent national consultation on nuclear power projects in the country with proper assessment of economic, environmental and human cost of such expansion.
“It is true that energy can neither be created nor destroyed,” the CSI said, “but let us not forget that energy can destroy us.”
courtesy-conger.wordpress.com
Tags: Diocese of Thoothukudi-Nazareth, Koodankulam nuclear power station,nuclear power
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Bishop arrested in anti-nuclear protests in India: The Church of England Newspaper, November 25, 2011 p 6. November 29, 2011
Posted by geoconger in Church of England Newspaper, Environment, Church of South India.Tags: Diocese of Thoothukudi-Nazareth, Koodankulam nuclear power station,nuclear power
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First printed in The Church of England Newspaper.
Church leaders are among those arrested by police in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu in a crackdown against activists protesting the construction of the Koodankulam nuclear power plant.
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Tuticorn along with clergy from the Church of South India’s (CSI) diocese of Thoothukudi-Nazareth were booked by police on charges of unlawful assembly, creating a public nuisance, “spreading rumours” and blocking civil servants from the lawful performance of their duties. They have been released on bail pending hearing and a formal investigation.
Construction has slowed to halt at the power station in Koodankulam in the Tirunelveli district of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd and the Russian state corporation Atomstroyexport are building two 1 Gigawatt reactors at a projected cost of £2.2 billion. When completed the water cooled reactors will be the largest atomic power plant in India.
However, local residents have opposed the programme and for three months have blocked access to the site to construction traffic and have stated hunger strikes to halt the building.
In September the CSI General Synod issued a statement expressing “her deep solidarity” with the protestors and warned it was a mistake to build a nuclear reactor in a “tsunami-prone and quake-prone area,”
The risk of ecological damage was great, the CSI stated. “We fear that the reactor effluents would kill the fish and further, that the other life inside the sea would be affected by the water discharged from the nuclear reactor into the Bay of Bengal.”
On 27 Oct 2011, the CSI Bishop in Thoothukudi-Nazareth joined protestors outside the plant and pledged his solidarity in stopping construction. However, local government leaders have charged the bishops with crossing the line between religion and politics.
The indictment charges the protestors with having used places of worship to organize political protests – a practice forbidden by Indian law. Police have also begun an investigation of the churches’ bank accounts to see if they were funding the protests.
A police spokesman told the Indian press the churches’ involvement in the protests was bad for local businesses. “Some are asking the people to revolt against the government and against the plant. This is unfair. The shops are closed, the life is not normal…this cannot be allowed to go on indefinitely,” the spokesman told the New Indian Express.
17 comments:
Thank you csipass for the post.
Benny Abraham,Riyadh
In my personal view, the church should not have intervened in the matter. The whole country is facing acute shortage of power and in several areas power cut is being imposed for hours together. Kalpakam project has been in existence for decades and there was no threat to the people in spite of tsunami and other natural calaminites. I am native of Nagercoil and I feel the vast majority people of the locality are in favour of the project which is giving employment to people. Americans are getting 20% of their power by means of such projects. The church should not support this agitation any more.
This country is in bad need of energy and it is high time for us to depend on nuclear energy. It is a must for our country as our country is rapidly growing up and in few years, say, 10 years, we will be decision maker in Asia region and economic power. Don't write rubbish against the country and its need. else, CSIPASS and others who oppose the power project has to provide needed energy for the country.
Dear Sam,
Kindly read very carefully the article published by the Church Of England.
You can register your difference of opinions at your cost.
The CSIPASS PUTHIYARA support the views of the Church Of South India in this regard.
The Atomic energy Ministry has to find the alternative arrangements and not the CSIPASS.
Hope the message is clear to you.
Just like vote bank politics church should not interfere in such projects and the church has no business in the matter. Where was CSI when the project was started years back? I believe, the government has spent about 13,000 crores till that time, they didn't see anything wrong.
United Kingdom is using nuclear power for their energy purposes and it has 18 Nuclear Plants.In the late 1990s, nuclear power plants contributed around 25% of total annual electricity generation in the UK. n 2010, electricity generated in nuclear power plants was 62.14 billion kWh (56.48 TWh net), or 16.4% of total electricity produced from all sources (378 billion kWh). Gas-fired generation accounted for 46.3% of total (175 billion kWh); coal-fired 28.5% (108 billion kWh); ‘other renewables’ 3.4% (12.8 billion kWh – mainly from biomass); wind 2.7% (10.2 billion kWh), and hydro 0.95% (3.6 billion kWh). Oil and 'other': 1.7% (6.5 billion kWh).
Church of England will write all rubbish sitting on the same chair. but the people like CSI PASS swallow the vomit vomited by WHITE fools.
Our country needs Energy and nuclear energy is the easiest method. Hope you CSI PASS understand it clearly.
Dear Sam,
Think you are not aware of the fact that the developed countries like France,Australia etc are not at all interested in constructing new atomic reactors because of the bitter experiences faced by countries like Russia and Japan in the recent age. Are you sure the US encourage similar projects in their 'OWN LAND'? Reply please.
Did you forget the agony which the Japanese faced recently when the tsunami hit their seashore?Was there an atomic power project?
Being Christians we have commitment towards the society and the affected people.
Try to share the curiosity of the residents living near the kudankulam project.Moreover the area is tsunami prone area.The whole people of Tamil Nadu and even the chief minister are worried and suspicious.CSI synod also registered their curiosity.While appreciating the achievements of the science and technology basically we are human beings.If you have anything against CSIPASS we just do not mind but you should not swallow some thing as you wrote when curiosity of the people come true.
What Mr. Jacob Reginald said is true. It is pure politics against the nuclear project. All the scientists in our country are fools?? They didn't know the tsunami prone area?? Jayalalitha, CSI pass and kudankulam people recently found the Tsunami pron area after India Government invested nearly 15 thousand crores of our money, people like you want to abandon the project??
Its not only the Nuclear disaster kills people. Tsunami washed of many people in Thailand, Sri Lanka, kerala etc. so, if a disaster has to occur, it will occur. Christianity is not to oppose the Government. Rather criticizing, Help the African poor (who dies of hunger, starve, famine, illness etc. etc.)if you are so much concerned about human values.
Dear Friend,
The discussion is not about tsunami.But still can any scientist predict that this will not happen in this area?Japan is famous for tsunami and earthquake.All the atomic plants were constructed after taking safety measures to prevent tsunami attacks.But what happened to Fukushima????The waves containing radiation(Atomic Waves) traveled more than 100 miles and hit the shores.All the residents in 100 kilometers radius were forced to leave the place.Is it not true?
Anyway,why our great USA and France never built new atomic power projects for the last so many decades???You have any answer.They know the complications very well and do not want to make the people worry.
Finally why the left withdrew the support to UPA government?simply because of the atomic policy.
Mother,There is no line of control to atomic waves and tsunami waves.Earthquake doesn't know the border of your country.
But certain people know-they are disruptive,destructive,do everything by knowing everything.That is called capitalism.
The CSI SYNOD supported the agitating people not for our generation.Only for our children.What asset you have in your hands for them????You want us to hand over a gigantic power to them???? old technology,projects all we have here.
LOOK AT THE SUN.SUN IS SHINING THERE.GOD HAS CREATED HIM FOR US. HE HAS ALL THE POWER RESOURCES WITH HIM.USE THIS POWER MORE 'SCIENTIFICALLY'.WE NEED MORE RESEARCH,THOUGHTS AND 'BRAINS'TO USE THIS POWER MORE EFFECTIVELY.OKAY OUR DEAR Mr.JACOB REJINALD AND mR.SAM.
csipass workers with lots of love.
ആണവനിലയം സ്ഥാപിക്കാന് വ്യഗ്രത കാണിക്കുന്നത് ജീവന്റെ വിലയറിയാത്തതുകൊണ്ട് -സുരേന്ദ്ര ഗഡേക്കര്
courtesy -mathrubhumi
കോഴിക്കോട്: ആഭ്യന്തര ഊര്ജ്ജ ഉപഭോഗത്തിന്റെ 26ശതമാനം ആണവവൈദ്യുതി ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്ന ജര്മനിയും അമ്പതു ശതമാനത്തിലധികം ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്ന ബല്ജിയവും ആണവനിലയങ്ങള് അടച്ചുപൂട്ടുമ്പോള് രണ്ടരശതമാനം മാത്രം ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്ന ഇന്ത്യ ജനങ്ങളുടെ സുരക്ഷപോലും പരിഗണിക്കാതെ ആണവനിലയം സ്ഥാപിക്കുവാന് വ്യഗ്രത കാട്ടുന്നത് ജീവന്റെ വിലയറിയാത്തതുകൊണ്ടാണെന്ന് 'അണുമുക്തി' മാസികയുടെ പത്രാധിപരും ശാസ്ത്രജ്ഞനുമായ സുരേന്ദ്ര ഗഡേക്കര് അഭിപ്രായപ്പെട്ടു.
കൂടംകുളം ആണവനിലയ വിരുദ്ധ സമര ഐക്യദാര്ഢ്യസമിതി സംഘടിപ്പിച്ച ജനകീയ കണ്വെന്ഷന് ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്യുകയായിരുന്നു അദ്ദേഹം. സിവിക് ചന്ദ്രന് അധ്യക്ഷതവഹിച്ചു. വി.ടി. പത്മനാഭന്, എന്. സുബ്രഹ്മണ്യന്, എം.എന്. കാരശ്ശേരി, സി.ആര്. നീലകണ്ഠന്, കെ. രാമചന്ദ്രന്, പ്രൊഫ.ശോഭീന്ദ്രന്, ഇ.കെ.ശ്രീനിവാസന്, ജ്യോതി പ്രകാശ്, വിജയരാഘവന് ചേലിയ, ശിഹാബുദ്ദീന് ഇബ്നുഹംസ, പി.വി. അഹമ്മദ് കബീര്, അഡ്വ. സാബി ജോസഫ്, ടി.ഹസ്സന്, ഡോ. കെ.എല്. അജോയ്കുമാര്, യു.രാമചന്ദ്രന്, സുരേഷ് നരിക്കുനി, ടി.കെ.എ. അസീസ് എന്നിവര് പ്രസംഗിച്ചു.
Nuclear safety covers the actions taken to prevent nuclear and radiation accidents or to limit their consequences. The nuclear power industry has improved the safety and performance of reactors, and has proposed new safer (but generally untested) reactor designs but there is no guarantee that the reactors will be designed, built and operated correctly.[28] Mistakes do occur and the designers of reactors at Fukushima in Japan did not anticipate that a tsunami generated by an earthquake would disable the backup systems that were supposed to stabilize the reactor after the earthquake.[29] According to UBS AG, the Fukushima I nuclear accidents have cast doubt on whether even an advanced economy like Japan can master nuclear safety.[30] Catastrophic scenarios involving terrorist attacks are also conceivable.[28] An interdisciplinary team from MIT have estimated that given the expected growth of nuclear power from 2005 – 2055, at least four serious nuclear accidents would be expected in that period.[31][32]
The church could not manage its own affairs. Just to divert the attention of the people from their utter failure in their service to the society, they have taken up issues like this. In America more than 20% of their energy is by Nuclear means. You are not appreciating the fact that in India, for the past 26 years Kalpackam Nuclear plant is functioning and in spite of Tsunami strike the plant has been safe. Some vested interests have created a fear psychosis amongst the population nearby the project. It is unfortunate the church is fueling the fire, instead of helping the government in power to go ahead with the project. People like Jayalalitha will do whatever she wants for political gains. Just because Karunanithi did, she abandon the secretariat building which was built for 1000 crores. All right thinking people should support the project which is going to give 1000s of direct and indirect employment besides power for the country. Kerala has not experienced such a power shortage like other states. The people of Tamil Nadu are facing acute power shortage. There are undeclared powercut to the extent of about 3 to 4 hours daily for the past five years. The people who are advocating closure of the project should suggest alternate solution to find so much clean and cheap power. India's future depends only on Nuclear power. Disasters can happen in any form, no body can prevent. I would call the people who are against such projects are anti nationals. The church should not become anti national.
Dear Regi,
We think that the church politics and social issues are different.There are every chances as you suspected-any common man can ask- why CSI Synod is involved in this.It is because of our bitter experiences with CSI Synod.We also have anger,protest against the Synod for not properly interfering when chain of injustice happen in our diocese.
But let us forget our difference of opinions when a common issue occurs.
You can always stand firmly with your opinion about this project.You have every freedom to propagate your views and understandings.
But you never replied our question-Why the developed countries like USA,UK,FRANCE etc never built newer plants for the last so many decades?Why AUSTRALIA dropped similar projects recently?.Can you please mention the name of an atomic power project recently started by USA?
Your information is correct.More than '20%' United States power is nuclear.But they never tried to increase the percentage.!!!!!
You leave jayalalitha and similar politicians.
Please convince us.
Sir, such countries don't want power and their population cannot be compared with ours. Our population is going to beat China by the year 2025. They are developed countries and we are developing country. We have to go a long way. We are about 20 years behind in our development when we compare with us. Their need is so limited. Hope, you will agree with me.
banoutThe strong question is that why India is not following the foot steps of developed countries like Germany, America etc. in case of face out of nuclear power plants. Nobody is giving proper answer. Let me also ask one question. Christianity is facing challenges in developed countries. Lots of Christian community people are leaving the faith and joining to other religious faith. We should also follow the foot steps of developed countries in case of religion also like in case of nuclear power plant issue.
Dear George Paul sir.
Only one answer=
“The church that does not evangelize will fossilize.”
Please be informed that the water usage in reactor is for heat exchange from core to turbine and it comes out cool and normal and it won't kill fish as U say. The barrier in the sea facing side of reactor is many metres higher than the highest tsunami you can imagine.
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