India Joins the Club

WE are writing to express our disappointment at the lack of mature analysis in the sea of euphoric and largely superficial commentary designed to add to the already existing hype about the recent nuclear testing carried out by India. It is quite alarming to read the confident poll findings based on a hasty round of polling in four metropolitan cities which assert that the 'majority of the Indian public supports the nuclear explosions'. By the same token, the gathering of NGOs, academics and others to protest the outrage in Delhi was categorised as representing 'a small minority'. Alas, who stops to think that it is only 'India' and not 'Bharat' that is being polled! Il is indeed a matter of concern that a decision which is fraught with so many grave long-term consequences is treated in an almost cavalier fashion. These are not some Divali crackers that we were letting off, but lethal technologies whose devastating effects and impact arc well known, and still being evaluated. It is a sobering thought that the leaders and opinion-builders of this vast and ancient nation have uncritically acclaimed the setting off of these five nuclear devices at this stage in our historya decision which demonstrated scant respect for any process whereby public debate and informed analysis could have preceded such a momentous step.