Shiv Sena forces nuclear scientist to cancel lecture on Jaitapur

Eminent nuclear scientist and one of the strong supporters of the proposed 9,900 MW Jaitapur nuclear power plant Anil Kakodkar had to surrender to the Shiv Sena’s diktats.

Kakodkar, who was the chief guest and had originally planned to deliver the key-note address at a conference on sustainable energy, had to retreat after the Sena threatened to disrupt the meeting.

College of Engineering, Pune, had planned a two-day conference at Abasaheb Marathe Arts and New Commerce, Science College at Hativale in Rajapur tehsil of Ratnagiri district. The project site for the proposed nuclear power was in Ratnagiri district and Kakodkar delivering a speech in support of nuclear power angered the locals and Sena members.

“The locals are completely against the nuclear project. Also, the locals feel that people like Kakodkar have cheated on them by spreading lies about the project. Since locals did not want the programme to go ahead, we asked the college not to conduct the programme. If they decide to go ahead with the programme, then it will be disrupted,” said Rajan Salvi, Sena MLA from Rajapur.

Pravin Gavankar of Janhit Seva Samiti said they had planned to stage demonstrations outside the college on February 28 and 29 when the conference was supposed to take place, but Sena scuttled the programme. Scared of possible disruption, the programme was rescheduled in the College of Engineering in Pune.

Kakodkar said he has no reaction about such tactics used by project opponents. “I was told by the organisers about the possible threat and they themselves cancelled the programme in Hativale,” he said.