By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
As fall of India’s Union government looks a matter of days on the issue of Indo-US nuclear deal, the political parties are exploiting the issue the way most suitable for their political future. Some political parties like CPI (M), BSP and SP have taken upon themselves to speak on behalf of the Indian Muslims when it comes to the nuke deal. But what do Indian Muslims think about the deal themselves? TwoCircles.net contacted some of them in India and abroad to get their opinion.
We present opinions of all those contacted by TwoCircles.net on this issue. Some of the statements are edited for clarity.
Nasiruddin, journalist, Lucknow:
I am not in favour of the deal because this threatens sovereignty of India. Nuclear energy is not miracle energy to solve all our energy needs, it comes with some dangers. We need to look towards tapping other energy resources as well.
The US has never been a reliable friend to anyone except undemocratic governments like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, etc.
The attempt to communalize this deal is wrong. This is a secular issue affecting all Indians alike. Statements from ulema on this issue will unnecessary make it communal.
Samina Khan, lecturer, Patna University:
As an Indian Muslim I am in favour of the deal, because it has multiple benefits. The unique aspect of the deal is that it has given the Indian Muslims an opportunity to defy the stereotype. They are now with the historically very important possibility of starting a dialogue with the Western Civilization and the so called “enemy” i.e. the United States of America.
By supporting the deal they can start a relationship with America, which can be defined later on. It is pointless to hate America blindly. The hostile relationship between the Muslims and the West needs to be broken as propagated by Samual Huntington’s idea of “Clash of Civilization.”
Rehan Ansari, journalist, Mumbai:
India should not make a deal with the US since it is not only a deal but a strategic alliance and India would be playing a subordinate role as far as foreign policy is concerned. The best example is when India voted against Iran leaving aside NAM.
We should look it in the broader prospect. Besides the objections raised by the elite and well informed scientist on nuclear issue my point is that the targeted 20,00 MW if generated through natural resources like coal, water or gas which India has in ample would cost us Rs. 60,000 crore while using imported nuclear reactors would cost us Rs. 2,00, 000 crore.
Aariz Mohammed, activist, Hyderabad:
I support the deal only in the context of situation when there are not sufficient technologies to tap the available possible sources of energy including the alternative sources in the country.
Farooq, journalist, Srinagar:
A country like India is a big democratic country and should always respect the aspirations of the people.
Keeping in view the political pressures on the Government of India if it really is desperate need of the Nuclear weapons then consult all political parties and justify the need. Other wise with this deal it has to make hundreds of deals to pacify the politicians of the country.
Dr. Imtiyaz Hasan, lecturer, Patna:
India must go for the deal, as it is the best offer we could have negotiated with the United States. There is not only one benefit of this deal. It is beneficial for India from every point of view, nuclear energy, financial, strategic, and global influence that India will have in case of this deal.
Feroz Mithiborewala, political activist, Mumbai: (from his published statement)
This deal is compromising our national sovereignty and reducing India to a junior level. The deal is also harmful for our energy security and will cut us off from our cheap natural gas and oil resources. A national debate on the issue is needed.
Ayub, student, Canada:
Let the PM come out with the specific details then I can answer. As long as this deal doesn’t have an adverse impact on relations with the Muslim world then it should be OK.
Aslam Perwaiz, research scholar, Patna:
I am in favor of the deal as it is the best India could have got in a negotiation with the United States. The deal is in complete national interests, and the interests of Muslims in India are not separate from the interests of the country. The Muslims need to realize that blindly hating and opposing America is not the solution to our problems on the international stage.
It is only by coming to terms with the power and influence of the United States that Muslims can realize what is to be done in the context of the global crisis that Muslims are facing the world over.
Farooq, management professional, Delhi:
No. It will make India loose its decision making capability regarding nukes.
Ahsan, software professional, Bangalore:
India should go ahead and do the nuclear deal. It has nothing to do with Indian Muslims, in particular.
The reason why it should go for nuclear deal is that it will help India become self reliant in using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes by allowing India to get uranium which is currently not possible.
Rubina Parveen Shaik, documentary film maker, Hyderabad :
I am not for the Indo-American nuclear deal. Even the majority of the political representatives are not in favor of the deal, including the Left parties, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).
The deal is anti-people as any kind of strategic partnership with the United States would be accepting the hegemony of the Capitalist and the Imperialist powers of the world.
The deal fails to satisfy people on every front. The idea of fulfilling future energy requirements of the country by the nuclear energy is economically very expensive. It has nothing to do with the welfare of the common toiling and hungry masses of the country.
The deal is only in the interests of the elite. It would be considered to be in the national interests only when one considers the five percent of the Indian elite as India and leave the ninety five percent of the masses who won’t be benefited by the deal.
Dr. Badre Alam Khan, advocate, Patna High Court:
The deal is in the interests of the country, because it would help us and our coming generations in fulfilling our energy requirements. One can not negate the importance of energy in today’s world, and refusing the deal with America would be the biggest loss that India can do to its own interests.
Apart from that it is also important to end the isolation that India has been experiencing on the global stage of nuclear powers. It will lead to a more respectable position of India among the nuclear powers of the world. India will be in a better position to negotiate with the other global powers.
The deal is also much favorable as far as the geo politics is concerned. It is a likely and becoming offer for India, much in accordance with the newly acquired status of India as the emerging formidable power on the global stage. There can not be a better deal than this deal. We should grab this opportunity.
Interviews conducted online and by phone by Md. Ali and Kashif-ul-Huda. Photo of Muslims in Jama Masjid by photographeramit.