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The Rediff Special/H D Deve Gowda

Dear Prime Minister Sri Vajpayeeji,

The recent repeated nuclear tests conducted by Indian Scientists have no doubt generated widespread acclaim and euphoria in some circles. While appreciating the excellent work done by Indian Scientists, I feel that I have a moral duty to present the broader implications of these recent tests.

The decision to conduct nuclear tests is not a military decision. It is a political decision. Political decision is made by the Government in power. But this decision seems to have been made by two or three persons in your Cabinet. According to the press reports even the Defence Minister was not involved in this decision making.

It is necessary to remember that Indian scientists did not produce nuclear devices in just sixty days during which your Government has been functioning. It is the result of cumulative efforts made by hundreds of Scientists for the last forty five years. Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation and Indira Gandhi harvested the fruits of past labour in 1974. In subsequent years, Scientists had approached two previous Governments to continue the tests once in 1995 and then in 1997.

In 1995, the Narasimha Rao Government was asked to take a decision on conducting fresh nuclear tests by Indian Scientists. Wisely he did not agree for that. In 1997, when I was the Prime Minister of the United Front Government, I was requested to make a decision to conduct fresh nuclear tests. I convinced the Scientists that the time was not ripe as the country was facing many problems including economic problems.

These problems were uppermost in my mind and I concentrated on immediate political and economic problems facing the Country. I declined to give clearance for demonstrating India's nuclear capability not because of the likely adverse reaction from international community but because of my concern for improving the economic situation of the country. This did not necessarily mean that I was not proud of the achievements of our Scientists, I only prioritised the requirements of the country and the people.

At the present moment no doubt you expect every Indian to stand by your decision. However, it is pertinent to mention that you conveniently forgot your own promise to build consensus on all important national issues. It may be useful to mention in this context that when I was asked to agree for signing the CTBT in 1996-97, I requested my colleague Sri I K Gujral, then Foreign Affairs Minister, to seek your views and those of Sri V P Singh, Sri Narasimha Rao and Sri Chandrashekar. After consulting all of you my Government decided against signing CTBT.

I am not suggesting that you should have consulted all political parties before deciding to conduct fresh nuclear tests. At least, you could have taken some important leaders into confidence before permitting the scientists to conduct serial tests. After the event is over, when the international reaction is adverse. Your political advisor Mr Pramod Mahajan indicated your Government's willingness to sign the CTBT, though subsequently you have told that India will not sign the CTBT unconditionally. Such statements have only created more confusion in the minds of Indian public as well as the International Community.

During the 18 months rule of UF Government, with a 13 party coalition, we were able to improve our relations with our neighbours. Even Pakistan started dialogue to improve bilateral relations. We signed treaties with Russia and China. We improved our relations with the USA which convinced President Clinton to decide to visit India. All these positive achievements of the UF Government had created not only harmonious political relations but also had reduced any threat to India's security. Did that Security situation change so suddenly within 6 weeks of your Governance? Your Government owes an answer to this question.

In the aftermath of the recent nuclear tests, prominent leaders of your party mobilised crowds to express their support to the tests. You went on addressing these crowds.

The electronic media repeatedly focused the attention of the viewers on the nuclear tests. All these efforts have politicised the nuclear tests as to divide the Indian people and create fear psychosis in the minds of some sections of society.

In the present day inter-dependent world no country can fight and win a war against others. All countries are interested in improving the living standards of their people. In our country also, the elite classes may celebrate this event but poor masses go to 'Beggars Dream' with their starving stomaches. But it is worth mentioning that in the past our people, in spite of their miseries and sorrows, have stood unitedly and solidly behind the Government whenever the country faced threat to its integrity and security. All political parties had also behaved responsibly cutting across their party lines to face such challenges.

In this context, I hope and trust that your Government will endeavour to revive that type of solidarity by playing down the instant euphoria and will address itself to the urgent need of creating an atmosphere of trust and confidence among all sections of society.

With regards,

Yours Sincerely,

H D DEVE GOWDA

The Rediff Special

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