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Journalism of Courage
The announcement of a nuclear doctrine is an essential step that was long overdue, but it is far too tentative. Besides, its timing is extremely suspect. The fact that we have gone through fourteen months since Pokharan without any guidelines is sobering enough. But having waited this long, why did they have to be announced under a caretaker government on the eve of the elections? To question its motives is only natural. The document does direct policy in a specific direction, but nuclearisation is too important a step to proceed on general guidelines. Every phase and component of the process needs to be explicitly spelled out. Some of this information will be in the public domain, given the fact that the government seems to be keen on developing a consensus. The government has spelled out its intentions on dumping waste and the people of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh will mull over the issue, like the Americans did at the time when the acronym NIMBY8217; was coined: Not in my backyard.8217; But there is noindication of the expense of nuclearisation, though the bill will be footed by the public and debate will be particularly intense on this issue.
Apart from the nuclear submarines and installations that the doctrine has spoken of, the process calls for the establishment of a vast and sophisticated chain of communications and decision-making leading from intelligence sources to the little red button. The total cost is likely to force a fresh tax on a public that has just reconciled itself to the possibility of a Kargil tax. Besides, in the absence of further information, the document seems to indicate that civilians are to be treated as expendable targets. The original nuclear powers invested heavily in civilian survival infrastructure 8212; in shelters, warning systems, safe water supply and medical aid, for instance. If we are to repeat their mistakes, should we not also emulate their concern for civilians?
