Now, Who Needs the Shrinks More

The Centre sends clinical psychologists to calm the nerves of Koodankulam nuclear plant protestors

BANGALORE ~ You knew that Manmohan Singh was a little OCD about all things nuclear but this is still stretching it a little. Stymied by the recalcitrance of those protesting against the Koodankulam nuclear plant, the Centre is now sending clinical psychologists to convince them.

A team from the National Institute for Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans) in Bangalore is getting ready to read the minds of the agitators and remove nuclear related fears. The reactors of the plant are expected to go critical in August and this seems to be a last ditch effort to contain fear about nuclear contamination.

Over the past year, the Centre has made several efforts to break the ranks of the protestors. First, it alleged a foreign hand and then said that the Church was interfering. It deported foreign nationals and sent notices to NGOs receiving foreign funds. It also filed sedition cases against some of the protest leaders. APJ Abdul Kalam was also sent on a mission to calm nerves.

Needless to say, the protestors are not taking kindly to the idea of counselling. “This is as good as certifying us insane,” says SP Udayakumar, who’s spearheading the agitation under the banner of the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy.

Nimhans doctors said a Central government representative visited them in May to discuss strategies. A team of six doctors from the social psychiatry department has been formed to counsel the protestors, and collection of primary data has started. A doctor on the panel said they would send a long-term project proposal soon. They hope to work in tandem with NGOs, the local administration and community-level workers.

“Instead of acknowledging that ordinary citizens can also think through serious policy issues, the Government is resorting to ridiculous strategies. They are going ahead with the largest nuclear complex in the country without sharing basic safety information and preparations with the people. When people demand it, the Government questions their sanity,’’ says Udayakumar.

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Anil Budur Lulla