PROCEEDINGS OF THE COURT OF LORD JUSTICE SCIENCE

as a surprise just as surprising as the fact that the Quran should, predict, describe, and warn against the atomic hell with a view to averting the atomic danger from mankind. Equally surprising will be the declaration that this age was the most ignorant inspite of its proverbially great knowledge. This age indeed may be deemed as ignorant, due to its ignorance of the subject on which were now staked the peace as well as the existence not only of mankind but also of all life on earth. We allude to the subject of nuclear science. Not only that all the knowledge available concerning the subject of nuclear science is too elementary and scanty as yet, the knowledge of that scanty portion too is a rarity. The masses all over the world are utterly ignorant of it. The Non-Scientist Scholars all over the world fare little better. Among the scientist community, the nuclear scientist it is that may be expected to know of this subject, but unfortunately, few among the nuclear scientists are to be found in the world who really know the subject which in itself is proverbially minute, proverbially complex, and one that appears to be functioning in regions beyond human ken and defying with relentless insurgency the efforts of man in affecting perfect control and command. We will try to show the situation in the court of science. There we will see the extent of the present-day knowledge of man about the subject, and there we will see how far the decision of recommending the atomic-energy-for-peace at present in the present situation is hasty, premature and disastrous. This might be an eye-opener. The case is conducted in the court of Lord Justice Science:-

The spirit of sagacity has filed the suit against the nuclear scientist in the court of the Lord Justice Science and has engaged an advocate. It is an historic case. The galleries of the court are full to the brim, and, beam with the reverenced, serious and sagacious faces of the scientists of every era of human history, and philosophers from early Greek to the most modern of this age. All occupying their seats according to the order of the era of history and the subject. Faces like Einstein, Chadwick, Rutherford, Fermi, Madame Curie, Muller, Oppenheimer, Teller, and many others of the modern atomists and radiobiologists can be recognized. Philosophers like Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, among hundreds of others of prime note may also be seen in the company. Yet the two faces that appear most conspicuous among this gathering of the notables are of Bacon and Democritus. Darwin sits with a peculiar air of his own. The worried face of Bertrand Russell too could be discerned in a corner. On the whole an air of seriousness, anxiety, and greatness prevails throughout the galleries. In another apartment may be seen the newspapermen to report the sensational proceedings of the case to the impatient, distressed world around.

The Lord Justice Science has taken his seat and the proceedings of the court begin. The Prosecutor-General rises to read the accusations. He is heard to read the following :-

Nuclear Scientists :You are hereby accused in this Augustus Court of the Lord Justice of Science, of recommending the use of the atomic-energy-for-peace, Without first having full control over so exceptionally dangerous a force, and without first providing the means of protection against the deadly radiations to the millions residing in the neighbourhood of the reactors despite the fact that the reactors may explode any moment inundating the neighbouring districts with the floods of pernicious radiations leaving the unfortunate populations on the mercy of the elements, and without first discovering any sure cure for radiation sickness, or discovering any means of detecting or destroying the genes mutated by radiation, thus throwing the future generations of humanity into grievous jeopardy, and indeed without first obtaining sufficient knowledge of the subject in question, nay even being content with the most meagre knowledge and being overhasty in recommending the use of atomic energy, a force most insurgent and most unusually dangerous to the health, life and well-being of mankind, animal species, and plants all over the world, this honourable court takes the most serious view of your gross violation of the general rules of the methodology of science inspite of your professed allegiance to our Lord the Science. You are charged with the murder of mankind, as the originator and the author of the untold miseries and afflictions and sufferings and the total annihilation of life on earth arising from the long-term effects of atomic radiations, the product of atomic energy, the energy which you now recommend despite your knowledge of the serious hazards incident thereon. The seriousness of the charges is clear. Do you plead guilty to the charges?

The reply of the nuclear Scientist to the charges is as follows:-

“ The truth of the hazards incident upon the adoption of atomic energy could not be denied in the light of the experimental knowledge obtained by the best of authorities. But the adoption of atomic energy we recommend, firstly because of the inevitable necessity of energy; secondly, because we believe that some discoveries might be made during the utility-cum-experiment process that might solve the problem of the hazards of atomic energy. If the accusation be truthful then it is not we, the nuclear scientists that are to be blamed alone, but there is the politician, there is the industrialist and there is the mankind in general to share the blame with the nuclear scientist who is nothing but an instrument in the hands of this present age. Murderers of mankind are the originators of the sufferings of the future generations, we are not, rather we may justly think ourselves as the benefactors of the mankind, and there is the proof in this very world so clear that you cannot miss the mark of material bliss on any thing or any place that you may see yourself the world over. I therefore with a clear conscience plead not guilty to the charges that are laid against me as the nuclear scientist.’’

Here the Lady Nemesis rises to her feet, and addressing the nuclear scientist cries at the top of her voice:-

“ You may deny the charges now , but if the facts of science are true, and they certainly are true, then a day will come in this very world that these your organs will themselves be witnesses against you. Your cancer-ridden body and hands and feet, and your skin, your eyes and your eyebrows shall bespeak the truth of the charges laid against you in this court of true justice.”

In response to outburst of the lady Nemesis, the nuclear scientist says nothing, only eyes her piteously. The Lord Justice Science then orders the council of the plaintiff to proceed with cross examination. The Advocate then rises and begins his questions and the nuclear scientist gives his answers. The cross examination of the nuclear scientist by the Advocate:-

ADV: Do you recommend the use of the atomic energy-for-peace in the present situation of the nuclear science as it is, that is without any protection to the masses against radiation inspire of the possibility of the leakage and the explosion of the reactors, and without any sure cure for radiation sickness, and without any understanding of the subject for discovering any cure.