Tamilnadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) has urged the DMK to support the Left parties during the no-confidence motion against the Manmohan Singh government.
In a letter sent to the Tamilnadu Chief Minister and DMK President Kalaingnar Karunanidhi on July 17, TMMK president Prof. Dr. M.H. Jawahirullah urged him “to direct the DMK Lok Sabha members support the stand of the Left parties during the no confidence motion against the Manmohan Singh Government.”
The TMMK president’s letter runs inter alia:
“A section of the media is carrying a wrong propaganda that Muslim organisations are against the Nuclear Deal with America since it is against the interest of the Muslim community. However TMMK feels that the Nuclear Deal is against the interest of our country as a whole. The 123 agreement with the United States as well as Hyde Act and the agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency which are integrated with the nuclear deal have the potential to impart severe damages to our country.
“The letter also adds: “The Nuclear deal abrogates our country’s sovereignty and independence. The Hyde Act which was passed in US Senate to pave way for 123 agreement stipulates that the US President should present an annual report to the Senate as to how the Indian Government complied with its provisions and regulations. The Hyde Act also stipulates that India’s foreign policy and Defence stance should be in consonance with that of the USA. In brief the nuclear deal will hypotheticate our hard won freedom from British imperialism in 1947 to the present day US imperialism.”
“H.N. Sethna, M.R. Srinivasan, P.K. Ayyengar, all former Chairmen of the Indian Atomic Energy Commission as well as A. Gopalakrishnan, A.K. Prasad, Y.S.R. Prasad and Placid Rodrigues who are leading Atomic scientists of the country have in a joined statement categorically stated that the Nuclear Deal with US is against the interest of the country. The top scientists have pointed out that many of the promises given by the Prime Minister in Parliament have been flouted by the Hyde Act. The scientists have pointed out in their statement of how India’s independent defence strategy has been strangulated by the Hyde Act.
“For instance they say: ‘In view of the uncertain strategic situation around the globe, we are of the view that India must not directly or indirectly concede our right to conduct future nuclear weapon tests, if these are found necessary to strengthen our minimum deterrence. In this regard, the Act makes it explicit that if India conducts such tests, the nuclear cooperation will be terminated and we will be required to return all equipment and materials we might have received under this deal. To avoid any abrupt stoppage of nuclear fuel for reactors which we may import, India and the U.S. had mutually agreed to certain alternative fuel supply options which this Act has totally eliminated out of consideration. Thus, any future nuclear test will automatically result in a heavy economic loss to the country because of the inability to continue the operation of all such imported reactors.’
“The supporters of the nuclear deal argue that this deal is essential for future energy safety of our country. However even if India signs the nuclear deal and imports nuclear technology, the energy produced would hardly fulfill 9 per cent of our requirements. Besides, the per unit cost of power generated would be higher than that generated by thermal power stations. The installation cost also would be exorbitant. In this context we have to reflect as to whether we should have this facility after surrendering our long standing views and stance to the US.
“I am bringing to your kind information the sentiments expressed by former Supreme Court Judge Mr. Justice V.R. Krishna Aiyyar in an article in which he has said: ‘American nuclear big business is keen to make India its mega-market, using for the purpose a willing and weak Prime Minister. The grave implications of this business are profound, as is obvious from Dr. Manmohan Singh’s defiant do-or-die determination demanding a confidence vote in the Lok Sabha. He is staking his government’s very survival on the energy deal. Whoever wins the vote in the House, the nation has lost its solidarity, integrity and fraternity. George Bush’s stubborn hegemonistic strategy promoting U.S big business investment has become India’s national policy, facilitated by the Sonia-Manmohan commitment. This is virtually a reversal of the Nehru-Indira socialistic non-alignment stance and the principles of Panch Sheel. This basic battle is at the raging core of the controversy. The hideous hidden agenda could spell the de facto defeat of the Indian people’s historic tryst with destiny, the betrayal of India’s constitutional vision and mission.’
“Similarly Mr. Ashok Parthasarathy, who was a Scientific Advisor to former Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi has also lambasted the Government’s stance regarding the nuclear deal. He has also made it clear that the deal is against the interest of the country.
“The United Progressive Alliance was formed at your instance and effort to keep the fascists forces at bay. We are pained that in order to implement a deal which will bring more harm than benefit to our country the central Government has opted for a confidence motion which is going to divide the unity and integrity of the secular forces of our country. We request that as an elderly statesman you should persuade and force the Manmohan Singh Government to abrogate its idea of entering into the nuclear deal with America. If the Congress decides that its ties with America is greater than the unity of the secular forces, then we request that the DMK members of the Lok Sabha should be instructed to vote along with the Left parties against the Government led by Dr. Manmohan Singh.”