Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) – To ensure development that is truly sustainable, solid, safe and respectful of humanity and of Creation, India should abandon the idea of relying on nuclear power for energy production. So said Fr Ambrose Pinto SJ in a statement sent to Fides. Fr Pinto is a Jesuit scholar, Dean of the prestigious Institute of St Joseph in Bangalore and committed in India to the Social Institute of Jesuits in Delhi. The Jesuit intervened the day after the Japanese disaster, raising the issue of nuclear power in India and calling for “a mass social movement” to bring the matter to the attention of the Government: “Let us unite to tell the Government that we do not feel safe with a nuclear program in India.”
In India there are 20 nuclear reactors operating in six plants, and another five centre are under construction, for the supply of electricity. After the tragedy of Japan, civil society organisations are seeking to stop construction of the centre in Jaitapur in the state of Maharashtra.
Fr Ambrose Pinto, taking his cue from the experience of Japan, remarks that: “nuclear power plants can not withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters. Despite all the possible developments, we can not dominate nature: it is nature that dictates the rules to us. The earthquakes and tsunami are beyond human control. The dramatic situation in Japan reminds us that nuclear power is beyond the limits of being able to protect humanity” and may lead to exposing people to radioactivity in the atmosphere and water. For this reason, says Fr Ambrose, “having seen the death and destruction caused in Japan, there is an urgent need to reopen and re-examine the nuclear issue in India. We need a mass movement to bring the matter to the attention of authorities, for the protection of the Indian nation.” Fr Pinto is in favour of increasing solar, wind and tidal energy. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/3/2011)
