Fukushima's Impact on India

The Nehruvian vision of development envisaged mega projects: Industrial estates, dams, highways and thermal power plants. These necessitated acquisition of natural resources, often the livelihood base and safety net of the poor. Economic growth was compelling enough to overshadow environmental and social costs. A burgeoning population, economic reforms and opening up of markets led to more demand for power. This inexorably led to the nuclear energy option, despite opposition.

Mega projects resulted in massive displacement of people. Resistance began to grow as the narratives of human suffering and environmental degradation began to be documented and told; and re-told. Although safety considerations were important in projects such as dams, they became more pronounced in the case of nuclear power plants.  With Fukushima embedded in public consciousness, the fierce agitations against India’s current nuclear installations – Tarapur and Jaitapur in Maharashtra, Koodankulam in Tamil Nadu and Mithi Virdi in Gujarat have intensified.

Fukushima has altered the terms of the debate over the choice of nuclear power and has challenged the traditional notions of ‘development’ and ‘public interest’. It has triggered a re-prioritizing of issues. Safety has become an overriding concern. Fukushima became a weapon in the hands of people’s movements and intellectuals. The disaster is being repeatedly cited as a warning to the proponents of nuclear power. As the people battle the state, it has become more defensive. It claims highest standards of safety. It also offers enhanced compensation. When its attempts to mollify people fail, it becomes repressive. Women, children and men were arrested and beaten up; NGOs were warned and in some cases their funds were frozen and false cases filed against them.

People’s movements, larger alliances and the search for energy alternatives offered by Intellectuals and scientists are reasons for hope.