People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE)                                     April 25, 2012

The People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) calls for the immediate and safe release of Mr. Alex Paul Menon, the District Collector of Sukma in Chattisgarh, and Mr. Jhina Hikaka, the BJD MLA from the state of Odisha. This kind of political kidnapping and high-handed behavior is no way to conduct public affairs in a democratic polity such as ours.

It is our earnest appeal to the various Maoist and Naxalite outfits in the country to shun violence, join hands with like-minded democratic forces and channelize their political energy to provide an alternative to the corrupt, communal and confused mainstream national political parties in India. India is in dire need of sincere, selfless and committed political workers who have a clear understanding of popular democracy, independence, sovereignty, development, and nation’s future.

The Government of India and the state governments should refrain from pursuing anti-people and pro-corporate policy stance. They should not design and implement projects that help Indian and foreign capitalists and undermine the interests of the weaker sections of the national society. These governments should not shrink the democratic space available to express political dissent and democratic opposition.

Our ongoing struggle against the Koodankulam nuclear power project (KKNPP) is a case in point. Our open, transparent, popular and nonviolent struggle has been treated as something dangerous and anti-national, and more cases have been filed against our leaders and people than any Maoist or Naxalite group in India today. More than 56,000 people have been charged with false cases until December 31, 2011 including some 6,000 sedition cases. More cases are being filed every day even now. It is strange the Indian State deals with the violent and nonviolent groups in the same way with the same vehemence, vengeance and violence.

Instead of giving in to the machinations of State terrorism and yielding to the temptations of paying back in the same currency, it may be prudent to enhance the democratic space that is available to us in India and use it more actively, creatively and collectively. Only such massive public campaigns of increasing people’s awareness on public policy issues can bring about the desired changes in our polity than armed struggles in isolated pockets.

It is all our joint responsibility to increase value and dignity to the life of all Indians through nonviolent struggles, and nonkilling policies and projects.

People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE)