by Thomas Dabre

Tomorrow India celebrates its independence from British rule. Since then it has become a nuclear power. For Mgr Dabre, Gandhi’s homeland must choose to resolve disputes through non-violence.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Mgr Thomas Dabre, archbishop of Pune, is calling for a nuclear-free world on the eve of the anniversary of India's independence on 15 August 1947. Praising the Japanese who, on the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, expressed opposition to the re-militarisation of their country, the prelate noted that although India has atomic weapons, as homeland of the Mahatma Gandhi, Indians must be “for peace and non-violence." Here are his thoughts:

On the anniversary of India’s Independence (15 August) and the anniversaries of Hiroshima (6 August) and Nagasaki bombings (9 August) 1945, we ask for a nuclear-free world. About 300,000 innocent people were killed. What mindless cruelty!

Over the years, world leaders have been busy discussing the issue of nuclear weapons. The main argument in favour of such weapons is effective deterrence and no first strike, but only preventive and for national defence. That has led to nuclear proliferation.

Today several countries possess nuclear weapons, including India and Pakistan. However, taking into account the cost of human lives and collateral damage, it looks more and more difficult, impossible to defend the use of nuclear weapons.

No nation will emerge victorious in a nuclear war, whose harmful effects will be felt for many long years. Those who are knowledgeable about the vast scale devastation caused by the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have heard the poignant accounts given by survivors. They cannot but come to the conclusion of no war again.

Therefore, during the observance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki people in Japan have been calling for a world without nuclear weapons. They are opposed to the revision of the Japanese national constitution, because some political leaders in Japan favour Japan’s militarisation and weaponisation.

You may know that following the two tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki tragedies, Japan resolved to be a pacifist nation. Japan since then does not have a military of its own.* I am also told that Japanese police do not carry arms.

Unfortunately, some political leaders are now asking for a change in the constitution favouring weaponisation. However, what is to be appreciated and welcomed whole-heartedly is the growing opposition to the government’s plans to militarise Japan.

In particular, young people are saying no to Japan’s militarisation and weaponisation. This indeed is a sign of a brighter future.

Let us all pray for a world without nuclear weapons. I think Christians in the world should be in the forefront of the opposition to nuclear proliferation.

Those who believe in God should promote the campaign for peace in a world without nuclear weapons.

India is the land of religions and of Mahatma Gandhi, who followed the principle of ahimsa, i.e. non-violence. We in India should also be for peace and non-violence in solving international and border disputes.

(Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article)

*The Japanese government does however maintain land, sea and air self-defence forces.

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