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That sums up the reason why the previous Government did not choose to exercise the nuclear option and exercised restraint.

When we see in newspapers and when we hear different Ministers talk in different ways, we are unable to understand what was the justification for going in for the nuclear tests. What was the basis? Was there any policy framework? Was there any doctrine in it? There was nothing.

Many nuclear tests have been conducted earlier. Whenever Governments had gone for nuclear tests earlier, they had gone with certain principles and with certain doctrines. For example in 1974 when Mrs. Indira Gandhi decided to go in for the first test, her doctrine was very simple. The doctrine was that a test was meant for peaceful purposes. That is the difference. It was meant for peaceful purposes. That was the doctrine of the Congress party and of Mrs. Indira Gandhi in 1974.

Sir, our Father of the Nation is Mahatma Gandhi. Nobody can deny it. He was a man of Ahimsa. When he believed in the policy of Ahimsa, was he having a gun with him? Why was this nuclear test conducted? Even though we are saying that it is only for peaceful purposes, why was this nuclear test conducted in the year 1974?

I want to draw the attention of the Opposition Leader as well as eminent and efficient Congress leaders to a letter written by the former President of India. In the year 1983, that is, during the Congress regime, our respected Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. In 1983, Shri Venkatraman was the Defence Minister of our country. Now, he has written a letter to the hon. Prime Minister. What has he written in the letter? Even in the year 1983, all the arrangements were made for conducting underground nuclear tests in India. The eminent leaders from the Congress side have cited so many things. Just now you were saying, without knowing anything, that the decision to conduct this nuclear test was taken only 10 days before it was conducted.

Before I enter into the depths of the national security calculus, I should express my thanks and gratitude; I should express my warm greetings and ovation and congratulations to the Indian scientists and engineers who have successfully conducted the nuclear tests in Pokhran range. I express my congratulations specially to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Dr. Santhanam, Dr. Chidambaram and other scientists. It is really an endowment to the nation by Indian scientists and engineers.

Whether there was any threat from Pakistan or from China is a lost question today when Pakistan had successfully conducted nuclear tests in Baluch hilly region. The area of tension, the area of conflict, has been increased after the nuclear tests in Pokhran which is followed by the nuclear tests in Baluch hilly region. This is a preparation not for proxy war, but war directly. The whole Indo-Pak subcontinent has been turned into a war zone and the preparation for war material is going on. This is not good for the mankind living in this subcontinent.

Sir, to prepare for the nuclear tests or to join the nuclear club does not add to the glory of the Indian tradition and culture. It is a complete departure from the principles of non-alignment, from the principle of nuclear disarmament. It is a complete departure. It is our opinion.

MR. SPEAKER: Please conclude.

SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE (BERHAMPORE) (WB): It is the opinion of many eminent persons that nuclear weapon alone cannot save the country from the crisis. What does the fall of the Soviet Russia indicate? That was a mighty State; that was a powerful nuclear weapon State. Why does it fall? Why does it disintegrate in spite of having so many nuclear weapons in its arsenal? This disintegration of Soviet Russia indicates that the people of Russia have no sympathy for the nuclear policy of the Government of Russia. What is the chief component of the national security calculus? Can a man be secure with a revolver? A man goes to sleep with the revolver beneath the pillow. Does it indicate the best structure of that man? A man sleeping in the kingdom of fire arms with only a revolver beneath the pillow is not the security given to him. It is my opinion and I express my opinion that the national security is impossible without the economic security of the people. The money wasted for the nuclear tests or for the conduct of the nuclear tests can be invested, can be utilized for the restoration of the economic security of the country. Only the economic security can give the people and a nation absolute national security. So, the question of national security should be settled, should be resolved fast and only the question of national security will come. ... (Interruptions)