FOREWORD OF GABRIEL ISLAMIC BOMB

The term Islamic Bomb having assumed a general and universal notoriety throughout the world and having appeared both in the world press and publications, now appears, at least in outward appearance, to be losing its luster. But the atomic bomb having been the basic topic, it could not be safely assumed that the affair has been finished. No, but the affair will only see its end with the end of the process of the Baconian science - guided progress, (the basic cause of the appearance of the atomic bomb), without any doubt or ambiguity, in the flames of the atomic hell, that is the atomic bombs and the atomic radiations. The atomic bomb is only the one thing. Tagging it with various denominations makes not a whit of difference to its basic function. It is a hell, and calling it by different names is only a calling. It is wrong, to call it as Christian, Islamic, Hindu or Buddhist bomb. Let it rather be called as Baconian bomb, the common bomb. To associate its name with any religion is a blasphemy against that religion, and therefore accountable inspite of the rational, irreligious and scientific outlook of the people of this present age. The atomic bomb is a phenomenon quite peculiarly different from the rest of the phenomena. The Christian bomb will not hesitate to kill the Christians nor will the Communist Bomb ever spare the Communist. The Islamic, the Hindu, or the Buddhist bomb could not be regarded as an exception to this rule. The Atomic bomb with its sophisticated name, that is the nuclear bomb may be regarded as the common grave-digger of this mankind, and will not make any distinction in erecting tombstones on the grave of different peoples.
Books on the topic of Islamic Bomb have appeared in the World Press. These books as well might have been expected, are based on a particular design, and having a politico-journalistic, quasi-technical and strategic approach interwoven with nuclear statutory fabric having a tinge of plaintive hue interlined with reproaches. The overall spectacle of these books is that of a woman accusing, altercating, bickering, hurling defiance at the adversary and expressing regret at the wrong and the folly of the other. Two books of this kind have appeared in English language, and both could be expected to deal with the same questions in the same field, and having similar approach. Even if two hundred had been produced, they would have the same pattern. Such books even if written with admirable ability, in great detail and with exquisite beauty, could excite neither appreciation in me, nor could be of much benefit from my point of view, for they do not touch the real base of the problem, and merely play about in the outer crest of the malady, while my treatment of the topic in my �Islamic Bomb� is basic, philosophic and is concerned with the fundamental points of nuclear science. Let it be remembered, that unless the basic root of this nuclear problem is held, and eradicated, no superfluous or partial treatment will be of any avail, till ultimately the last stage of the process has arrived in the flames of the nuclear hell, to eradicate this mankind, and indeed all life on earth in actual misery, affliction and disgrace.
Of these books one is named as �PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB� and is written by Maj. General D.K.Palit and P.K.Namboodiri jointly, both of India. It appears strange to observe that these authors regard the nuclear threat as a universal threat to all life on earth, and they negate the efficacy of the nuclear proliferation treaty, and yet instead of tackling the problem with a view to ridding the world of this plague, they dwell at length and exclusively on the nuclear war strategies, preparations, precautions, tactics of assault and defence besides trying to shift the blame on the other party. How deeply this world appears to have been hypnotized by the nuclear doom, may be judged from these books, whose authors, whether they themselves know it or not, may be seen as men playing with the brands snatched from the fire which is consuming their own house. These authors appear in their seemingly capable discussions of their topic, as completely ignorant of and indifferent to the real nature of nuclear phenomenon and its consequent hazards. How dearly it is wished that they had known, that no other alternative was left for this mankind but either to vanish under the hails of atomic bombs suddenly, deservedly, or to perish, slowly, lingeringly and deservedly under the stings of deadly radiations in misery and affliction after a spell of existence on earth as cancer-ridden chimeras.
These are not just an alarmist�s views. It is not even an exaggeration of the facts nor it is in anyway indulgence in hyperbolism. This mankind that today raves in mad frenzy after the reactors and the bombs will see this process to its Finish. This science - guided, continuous, systematic, ever - increasing and infinite process of wealth - accumulation will explode in nuclear flames and will consume this mankind. And certainly no heavens will ever cry, for it is not the heavens that did wrong to this mankind, but surely it is this mankind itself that has wronged itself .It appears to be in no way amiss to say that merely pruning the branches would no do, but rather the basic causes ought to be removed in order to remove the effects. And what, by the way, happen to be the causes of the nuclear malady? They are the habits of slander, and engrossment in the pursuit of wealth, and the beliefs that, wealth would render them immortal. Unless indeed these causes are removed, there is no power beneath the heaven and over this earth to save this world from the nuclear doom.
The Book �PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB� revolves about the Pakistani nuclear bomb, and the effects of its birth on Indian nuclear programme. The two countries being neighbours with constantly estranged mutual relations. The line of argument assumed by these authors to prove the necessity and the subsequent birth of the Pakistani nuclear bomb is this: that because Israel has the nuclear bomb and Arabs have not, the Arabs will want to have one. Further because the Arabs have the necessary money but Pakistanis have not, and because the Pakistani have the necessary talent for building a nuclear bomb which the Arabs have not, the Arabs will want Pakistan to build a nuclear bomb for the Arabs. And because the Pakistanis and not the Arabs will build the nuclear bomb, it is natural that it is the Pakistanis that�ll be in command of the bomb built by them for the Arabs. But what is really worrying these authors is the point that Pakistanis will retain some nuclear bombs for India, being their close adversary. India will thus be obliged to counteract for safety and integrity and will be dragged reluctantly into the nuclear war preparations.
Suggesting the necessities of options to India against the prospective birth of the �PAKSITANIC BOMB� the authors of �PAKISTAN�S BOMB� write:-
�Clearly it was to Pakistan�s advantage to obtain approval---- and the funds----for an �ISLAMIC BOMB" by projecting the Arab-Israel conflict and the advantages to be gained by injecting an Arab Nuclear Argument into that confrontation. It is also clear that once Pakistan has acquired a minimum nuclear armoury, it will switch the focus of its strategic thrust from the Israel to the Indian conflict, whatever the Arabs might say. And when that happens, an agreement on the nuclear free zone or a joint declaration would be of no help to Indian security. India will therefore have to rely on more credible options�.
(PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB PAGE 137)
They suggest options to India as follows:-
(1) Going nuclear explicitly, following Pakistani Test, and to make representations for it ahead of the event.
(2) Expanding its conventional forces, both offensive and defensive, to deter Pakistan�s nuclear threat with a conventional threat of deep thrusts and long scale occupation of territory.
(3) Using a strategy of uncertainty based on a declared policy of No-weapons but to continue further nuclear tests (including Thermo-nuclear ones) and to accelerate missile developments; and
(4) Using a strategy of uncertainty based on a declared policy of No-weapons but at the same time preparing a sufficient number of nuclear weapons with the last wires unconnected�.
(PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB PAGE 146)
The Authors further explain the implications of these four options. They write:-
�All the four strategies have their casts in political and economic terms. The first strategy would mean India giving up its �Ideological� struggle for nuclear disarmament, perhaps by adopting the strategy, India would be able to ensure its own security and even gain a political stature in a world dominated by the nuclear cult, but it would mean a major set-back for the humanitarian aim of striving for a denuclearized world. The second strategy would be valid only for a limited period of time, that is, till Pakistan builds up a reasonable stock-pile. It would also be a very costly alternative. The third strategy would call for a reversal of the Prime Minister's personal commitment (which is not the Government�s policy) not to have any more test explosions. The fourth strategy is perhaps the cheapest and the best, and an adversary would expect this of India. The most dangerous scenario for India will be a policy of drift, that is, to adopt an apparently moralistic stand without debate or deep consideration. This would have us to be caught in a state of physical and emotional unpreparedness, which could only lead to a trauma far worse than that we experienced in 1962�-.
(THE PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB PAGE 146-7)
Now the thoughts like ensuring the national security through nuclear preparations, or over-running and occupying the hostile nuclear territories by means of overwhelmingly superior conventional forces, or keeping nuclear weapons with least wires unconnected could hardly match the sentiments like the denuclearization of the world. Such thoughts could be likened to the mutual massacre of the inmates of a ship on fire. Inmates cutting each other�s throats and crying peace. What it is wondered would have been the views of the Late Mahatma Gandhi, the reputed Saint of Ahansa on the point. The poor Mahatma might perhaps have writhed in anguish and washed his hands off the doomed humanity in dismay. The cause of general blindness of mankind could have most easily been imputed to mankind�s general ignorance of the subject of atomic energy and its dreadful, but unavoidable hazards, had not the most learned in this subject been found the blindest of all in their enthusiasms for the atomic energy and atomic weapons. The ignorance therefore could be reckoned as one of the causes at most. The actual causes perhaps lay somewhere else, unknown to this mankind.
The inefficacy of the Non-Proliferation-Treaty and the subsequent spread of nuclear weapons was a factor quite sufficient to expose the reality to any one, but the authors of PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB do not appear to find the cue inspite of the fact that they knew the inefficacy of the N.P.T. They write:-
�Ours is an attempt to present to the people of India the real significance of the terms of the so called, N.P.T., how they serve not only to legitimate proliferation among the five nuclear powers (vertical proliferation) but also to provide loopholes for selective clandestine proliferation to countries like Israel and South Africa, while withholding the benefits of the nuclear industry from the nuclear unarmed nations�.
(PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB INTROD. P VII)
Nuclear Powers are the criminals of the first order for having built the things like the atomic weapons, but to what use the Israel and the South Africa have put their nuclear technology other than building the atomic weapons? The fact that the nuclear powers themselves should restrain others only from having the nuclear power is a fact in itself which goes a long way to expose the moral situation of an age in which we now live, and to expose the reality of the nuclear probabilities in the course of time. The authors of PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB themselves reveal the morality of the cultists of nuclear weapons. They write:-
�This book is an attempt to clear the minds of deliberate misinformation and misconceptions built up over the last thirty-four years by the cultists of nuclear weapons. It is a rebuttal of the conventional wisdom on nuclear proliferation and the folk-lore developed by the bards of nuclear weapon nations and their allies in various peace movements and arms control lobbies. Our purpose here is to expose the myth-makers and to demolish the myth�.
(PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB INTROD. PAGE VI)
But Alas! The pledged iconoclast himself inwardly appears to be a devoted worshiper of the idol which he declares to break to pieces. And the nuclear myth-breaker is seen to have been entangled in the myth himself.
Complaining of the inefficacy of the Nonproliferation Treaty, these authors say:-
�The general impression is that the Non-Proliferation Movement, ending with the Non-Proliferation Treaty which signed by 103 nations, aimed specifically at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. It is learned that proliferation in fact is taking place freely in the world. As one of the first countries to voice concern on this issue and to sponsor proposals for a Non-Proliferation Treaty, India has been in the fore-front of the movement to control the spread of, and finally abolish, unclear weapons. And yet the concern that we expressed in general terms at the U.N. has now arrived at our own door-steps�.
(PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB PAGE 64)
It is not sufficient to express concern and make proposals in the case of nuclear problem. Here the temptations have to be withstood, storms braved and sacrifices made. The nuclear concern will not remain only at the door-step of nations, but it will actually enter the house and ransack it completely. It is a universal intruder well invited.
The necessity of the hour for the people of India according to the authors of �PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB� was to turn hawks. They who stood behind moral legal values and did on this basis opposed atomic bomb were doves. The authors say:-
�Nuclear problems have been debated in India for a number of years now---- then there were the �doves� of this country, a mix of intellectuals, businessmen and a number of faceless people in the government. Their line was to hide behind AD HOC moral legal values that seldom bore relevance to the point at issue but seemed to gain support from various ill-informed success for their anti-bomb stand�.
(PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB PAGE 91-2)
It may be remarked that no differentiation could be made between doves and hawks in the event of atomic bomb explosion. It is said, that not the presence of mind, but the absence of mind it is, that is indeed at the moment of the explosion of the atomic bomb. Those devoid of moral legal values will not fare better than the votaries of moral legal values when the moment arrived. How these authors will fare, is not known.
The authors of "PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB" basing their faith on the efficacy of nuclear deterrence describe the nature of the nuclear dialogue that emanates from the mutual deterrence of two nuclear powers. They say:-
�The (nuclear) dialogue is such that it at once divides and unites the two nuclear antagonists because of the realization that a nuclear war between them would be so devastating as to make survival of either nation as a viable society a doubtful issue�.
( PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB PAGE 113)
No doubt the theory of mutual deterrence is a time-honored theory. It has no particular or exclusive origin in the nuclear affair but it could well be applied to stick, knife or pistol. But the point which deserves note is that why there is apprehension of the danger of nuclear war between the nuclear powers, after they are all equally possessed of nuclear deterrence? It is the factor of nuclear arms race that supersedes the factor of nuclear deterrence. To stop the arms race between the powers is something which appears as well nigh an improbability. If then this mankind cherishes a desire to avoid the final nuclear holocaust which indeed is something terrible beyond imagination, it has to look somewhere else in order to find the method of eliminating the dreadful danger. People will have to learn to look at the affair from a different angle altogether. It is not possible to extract the fangs of this nuclear serpent. There is no way there but to kill it, for no antidote exists for the nuclear venom. But how to kill this nuclear adder? It has conditions. The destruction of the cause of its appearance only could ensure its death. To expect peace or survival in the presence of atomic bomb is a hope only of the damned and the doomed.
The difficulty with those that deal with the nuclear problem is that they see the thing in its present perspective when only a few powers in the world have the atomic weapons, and only few reactors are there in the world. They fail to peep into the future, in the age of full-fledged atomic energy, when most countries will have atomic weapons, and when a far greater number of reactors will be functioning throughout the world. And although they try to estimate the number of reactors in future, they fail to picture a world in which everything from a powerhouse to a private car will have its own independent reactor, and this earth will appear enwrapped in a maze of shooting stars that is the radiations of exploding reactors?. If they would work up their imagination, so far, they would cease to talk of deterrence and dialogues and monopolies, and would but weep and gnash their teeth in agony, if they could.
Inspite of their firm faith in nuclear deterrence, the authors of �PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB� discuss the necessity of the success of the first nuclear battle. They say:-
�But in the case of nuclear battle if we depend upon experience to evolve a new doctrine, we might find that at the first battle it is already too late. It is the first battle that will have to be successfully fought according to an effective (even if theoretical) doctrine�.
(PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB PAGE 120)
If this be the case, then surely both the nuclear antagonist powers will sleep on live embers for fear of nuclear attack. And in order to gain precedence and exploit the chance both will try to neglect the principal of declaring war on the enemy. That will indeed be living a life not worth living and a world not worth living in.
The Authors of the "PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB" say:-
�Ours is not a scholarly work, but a presentation of the realities underlying one of the most crucial issue governing the survival of mankind�.
(PAKISTAN�S ISLAMIC BOMB PAGE VII. Introd.)
Evidently these authors know that the nuclear issue is one of the most crucial issues and they know that it governs the survival of mankind. But unfortunately the reality is that the nuclear issue does not govern the survival of mankind. And this is the angle of observation which makes all the difference. What these authors, and almost the entire community of authors in these days believe is that the atomic war could be stopped. And if it starts, it could be survived. And also that the atomic war could be controlled and confined to certain regions. But the actual object in their eyes is the use of atomic-energy-for-peace. They are the victims of illusions and optimisms.
The influence of retribution has blinded this mankind and it is due to this blindness that they fail to see the glaring realities so dreadfully grim, so terribly grievous as the effects of atomic bomb and the atomic radiations, and the impossibility of protection against them. They are the victims of a conceit peculiar only to those doomed. They see the dwarfish unarmed man against the fiery giant atom bomb in the arena, and hope the man to win. Their discussions of the nuclear strategies are the discussions of a plan of universal nuclear suicide and nothing else. Is any defence possible against the nuclear bomb? Is it possible to furnish all the individuals residing in the neighbouring districts of reactors with any means whatsoever of protection against the radiations of the leaking and the exploding reactors that would flood the neighbouring districts with deadly radiations?. Is there any sure cure for radiation sickness, or is there any in sight? Could the mutated genes, mutated by radiations, be detected or destroyed? Or could anything be done after the mutated genes have manifested their existence in the form of abnormal chimera? Or is the permissible dose of radiation certainly correct? Nay but verily this mankind is determined to throw itself into the flames of a blazing atomic hell, the nuclear jehannah, well merited, well planned.
The emergence of the term Islamic bomb has caused an alarm in the world at large. What will they do when there will in this world be Naga Bombs, Mezu Bombs, Hara bombs, Kari Bombs? When every terrorist gang will have its own stockpile of portable atomic devices? And when every Nomad will have its nuclear armourry in his tent. But that will not be a life of human beings, but a life of Jinns, indeed miserable ones.
And certainly these majestic monuments of science, that appear so strong, so durable, could vanish in a matter of moments in the event of atomic war as if by magic wand. Or they may be left as the memorials of an extinct species as a result of the devastation caused by the radiations of the atomic-energy-for-peace. Facts indeed bitter, yet facts verifiable scientifically.