Communalism Muddies Anti-Nuclear Agitation

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Hindu Outfits Seek Speedy Commissioning Of Project

 

(The Hindu, November 10, 2011)

TIRUNELVELI: Even as the participation of Bishops and priests in the ongoing anti-Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project agitation is growing gradually, Hindu outfits have started their campaign in support of the project.

Bishops and priests of Roman Catholic and Church of South India have expressed their solidarity with the agitating population, mostly Christians.

RC Bishop of Tuticorin Diocese Rt. Rev. Yvon Ambroise recently visited Idinthakarai, where 127 persons were on an indefinite fast. RC Bishop of Palayamkottai Diocese Rt. Rev. A. Jude Paulraj inaugurated the demonstration held at Palayamkottai recently against the project.

The CSI Bishop of Tuticorin – Nazareth Diocese, Most Rev. A.D. Jebachandran, and CSI Bishop of Tirunelveli Diocese J.J. Christdoss, along with several priests, visited the protest venue at Idinthakarai.

Against this backdrop, the Hindu outfits have started their campaign in support of the project through demonstrations and by submitting petitions to the Tirunelveli Collector.

While the Hindu Desiya Congress handed over a memorandum to Dr. Selvaraj on Tuesday, the Hindu Munnani organised a demonstration on Jawahar Grounds, Palayamkottai, on Wednesday.

Speakers at the protest venue demanded immediate commissioning of the project, “in the best interest of the country”. They alleged that the protest was being orchestrated with the funding from foreign countries, “which never wanted a strong and developed India.”

“The ongoing agitation is nothing but a subversive activity and treason and hence the State and the Central governments should take stringent action against those who are orchestrating the protests directly and indirectly,” said V.P. Jayakumar, State vice-president, Hindu Munnani.

 Members of the Thennaadu Munnetra Kazhagam, another Hindu outfit, have also expressed their support. The Shatriya Nadar Iyakkam and some more organisations have decided to start relay fast at Chettikulam in support of the project.

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