NCCI conducts panel discussion, cautions prudence in use of nuclear technology

New Delhi – In the wake of the agreement between the US and India that allows the former to transfer nuclear technology to the latter, the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) conducted a panel discussion to deliberate on the emerging nuclear issues and urged the Christians to promote peace and harmony.

The theme of the discussion, which was held on August 8, the eve of the 60th anniversary of atomic bombing in Nagasaki, Japan, was “Emerging Nuclear Giants in South Asia.”

The discussion panel, which comprised eminent personalities like Mr. Kamal Mitra Chinoy, peace activist and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor and Fr. Monodeep Daniel, head of Delhi Brotherhood Society and member of the Church of North India (CNI), was chaired by Mrs. Jyotsna Chatterjee, head of Joint Women Programme and a well–known social activist.

Mr. V.V. Augustine, member of National Commission for Minorities, inaugurated the meeting.

“Nowadays everyone is talking about peace. It means that peace is not there,” observed Mr. Augustine in his inauguration speech.

“Families are the building blocks of a nation. Peace must start from home. Peace process must start from the family,” he said.

“The basis of Christianity is peace. The basis of all religion is peace. True religion advocates peace. People who advocate violence in the name of religion do not follow the true religion,” he concluded.

According to Mr. K.M. Chinoy, the history of nuclear programme was always shrouded in secrecy and dishonesty. “Take for India,” he said. “When India tested the first nuclear bomb in May 1974, the code word for the programme was ironically ‘Buddha has smiled.’”

“How can we call India and Pakistan nuclear giants when they rank 127 and 128 on the Human Development Index in a report which has less than 170 names?” he queried. “Is it because nuclear weapons are seen as a currency of power? Is it because they are the most lethal weapons known in the world today?”

Regretting that the “nuclear hawks” are always obstructing the efforts of pacifists, Mr. Chinoy went on to describe the devastative effects of such weapons of mass destructions and the modern technology that enhances its delivery capability.

According to the JNU professor, the whole idea of ‘nuclear deterrence’ is a myth as conventional warfares, battles and conflicts are still carried on by nations having nuclear weapons. “Kargil war fought by India and Pakistan at the heights prove this. Both nations had nuclear weapons, yet they fought the war by conventional means,” he said. “Israel has nuclear weapons – has it increased the security of the nation? Has suicide bombings stopped? Has the killing of civilians stopped? Has Hamas, Islamic jehads or Osama Bin laden stopped their war? Has the Jewish settlers stopped from killing the Arab Israelis?”

“In this unipolar world, the recent agreement that allows US to transfer nuclear technology to India signals that India is an ally of the US, a nation that is trying to stamp its military supremacy and dominance in the world,” he said.

“But we have a choice,” he continued. “There is the sword and the ploughshare…there is a choice between human security whereby we empower people socially, economically, culturally, and politically. And, on the other hand, there is the notion, not of human security but military security that is the dominant notion of national security.”

“Many governments help build a fear psychosis within the society against terrorism and blame it on people who are ‘genetically born terrorists’ or there is ‘something wrong with their religion’,” he said. “But this must stop. Demonising a certain religion and linking it with terrorism should stop. It is a militarist usurpation of religion. Terrorism is against humanity, not against any particular religion, race or people.”

“Countries are giants today not because they have nuclear weapons but because of their economic power, like China, Japan and Germany,” Mr. Chinoy concluded. “We must appeal to reason and understand that some kinds of weapon are a crime against humanity and against God.”

According to Fr. Daniel, the central theme of the Bible is peace. “God’s great plan was creating a world of peace where man and animal can cohabit peacefully, in harmony,” he said. “The prophet Isaiah speaks of the re–establishment of the mountain of the Lord and the re–establishment of the sacred city of Jerusalem. Breaking their heritage, richness, spirituality, wealth, etc, all nations are entering this city. This city on the Mount of the Lord becomes a pivot around which nations live in harmony.”

“But man’s disobedience brought sin, conflict and unrest,” he said. “And, the role of Christians in the present world is to bring back the peace envisioned by God.”

“The peace of God unites the Christians who transcend boundaries and barriers and take part in fellowship. Even though two nations may be in conflict, yet, the Christians and Churches in those two nations can unite and be in harmony,” he continued.

“In spite of the present situation being so grim, we must not give up faith,” Fr. Daniel urged. “Faith should give us the encouragement that it is not nuclear weapons or bombs that will be victorious or bring peace but God will be victorious and He will bring peace.”

“Not bombs, but God’s plans will destroy the powers of wickedness,” he said. “If we stop believing in this, we will stop working for peace. We must believe and hold on to this Scriptural faith so that we keep on continuously working for peace even if others think that it is irrelevant or absurd.”

In a world where radical ideologies like Jehaad or Hindutva are threatening to destroy the social fabric and harmony of a nation, the CNI prelate urged the Christians to promote peace. “Peace is a progressive development and is dynamic. No peace can come without change. Change will bring about immediate conflict but its end is peace,” he concluded.

“Peace can be brought about only if there is tolerance, if there is justice, if there is equality between the nations,” Mrs. Jyotsna Chatterjee summed up. We have to take up the challenge and work towards peace.”

“Two great forces are working in the world today – one wants to dominate, to threaten, to grab, to control. Another force wants to serve, to empower, to enrich, to educate,” said Fr. Henry D’Souza, secretary of The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Commission for Social Communication, New Delhi, when the house was thrown open for discussion. “God is at work powerfully today. The voice of today should be one that of sanity and civilised behaviour.”

“Democratic functioning and making the government more transparent and accountable to the people is important,” he said. “As faith communities we have a great role to play – we have to encourage this civilized behavior and influence each other and be a moral force.”