Kudankulam People are the Change Makers

Tamilnadu, January 14, 2012: ‘You are the challengers and change makers‘. Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad said to the people of Kudankulam today during his solidarity visit to Kudankulam along with the General Secretary of Student Christian Movement of India and the General Secretary of the Tamilnadu Christian Council.

The Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation had facilitated this Solidarity Visit to Kudankulam to encourage the people who are protesting against the Nuclear Power Plant in their vicinity by community observance of a peaceful fast for more than 152 days.

In his address, Rev. Raj Bharath Patta, General Secretary of the Student Christian Movement of India registered SCMI’s solidarity with the people of Kudankulam. He assured the fasting community that their united struggle  will bear fruit and so they should not lose hope. He asserted that very soon there will come a  day for us to celebrate. It is not far; indeed it is so near! He strongly hoped that the Government would seriously consider the pleas of the people which are genuine and reasonable, and that the Government would soon close down the hellish-domes of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

Dr. Esther Kathiroli, while addressing the people said that, such iconic industries like Nuclear Power Plants are against people and environment, especially the poor and women. These plants are going to serve the rich, not the poor.  So, such anti-poor projects should be stopped immediately at any cost. She appreciated the power of women’s consistent, focused and long struggle demanding the scrapping of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project.  She assured the people of TNCC’s solidarity with the struggle, and with the struggling women and men of Kudankulam.

Rev. Christopher Rajkumar, Executive Secretary of the Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation demanded that the Government of India should listen to the local people and not to the Russian Government. Since the Government represents the people of India, it should listen to the people. Also, he urged the Government to close down the Nuclear Power Plant at Kudankulam immediately and enable the local people to live without any fear and trauma.

Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary of National Council of Churches in cautioned the people about false attractions of Nuclear Power and the Globalizing Powers in the name of Developments. Whether it is massive steel plant project of POSCO in Odhisa or of the Nuclear Power Plant in Kudankulam, mother earth and all in habitants will be adversely affected by such enterprises.  In Kudankulam we have a striking example of alternative ways of development and production of power through the wind-mills. Such alternatives along with responsible human living and just relationships would serve all creation holistically. He encouraged the people of Kudankulam in their struggle against the Nuclear Power Plant and their commitment to alternative lifestyles and technologies which would bring in just and holistic change in society.

The Team also had a meeting with the leaders of the community including Dr. S. P. Udayakumar (Co-ordinator), Mr. Pushparayan (Spokesperson), Fr. Selvaraj and Advocate Siva Subramanian, discussing the details about the present situation of the struggles, threats and possible future interventions. The General Secretary assured NCCI’s solidarity with the movement. Dr. S. P. Udayakumar thanked the team for its timely visit and solidarity. The NCCI appeals to its constituent members to visit the struggling community and offer possible ways of intervention and involvement.

– the commission on justice