Dr Arun Mitra, president of the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD), emphasised at a meeting held in Hyderabad that medical professionals would be powerless in the aftermath of a nuclear war
Syed Khaled Shahbaaz | Clarion India
HYDERABAD — The Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) at a meeting here has raised alarming concerns over the catastrophic consequences of a nuclear conflict in today’s world. Dr Arun Mitra, President of IDPD, an affiliate of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) emphasised that medical professionals would be powerless in the aftermath of a nuclear war, stating, “Doctors have no remedy to treat patients in the aftermath of a nuclear war.
There will be absolute chaos and destruction, and there is no cure for the suffering of those affected.” His stark warning underscored the unimaginable devastation that such a conflict could unleash.
The meeting was hosted by Syed Ahmed Amiruddin, head of the century-old Rahnuma-e-Deccan family and the discussion, held under the guidance of former Member of Parliament Aziz Pasha, involved deliberations on varied themes including education, the threat of nuclear power, and access to better healthcare.
“If a nuclear exchange were to occur between India and Pakistan, nearly 2 billion people could perish. In a conflict between the United States and Russia, the death toll could rise to 6 billion from the fallout,” Dr Mitra cautioned. Sressing the gravity of the situation, he maintained that the pursuit of peace must remain a global priority.
Dr Mitra also expressed concern about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. “The conflict in Ukraine has placed countless people at risk of nuclear radiation exposure, should the integrity of these power plants be compromised,” he said.
He criticised global powers for their reliance on brute force, stating that civilians are too often the victims of such actions. “The indiscriminate killing of civilians cannot be justified, and the international community must act to prevent such atrocities,” Dr Mitra said.
IDPD, founded in 1984 as the National Association of Indian Doctors for Prevention of Nuclear War (NAIDPNW) at its inaugural conference in Patna, has consistently advocated for nuclear disarmament and peace. The organisation is an affiliate of IPPNW, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985. IPPNW was also instrumental in the formation of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 for successfully promoting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) at the UN General Assembly.
Dr Mitra, who also served as the co-president of IPPNW, called for public awareness of the risks posed by nuclear conflicts. He urged citizens and activists to remain vigilant about global developments that could escalate tensions.
In December 2024, IDPD plans to hold an international seminar in Delhi, focusing on the atrocities committed by various global powers, including the ongoing violence in Palestine. The seminar will explore the dangers of nuclear weapons and the path forward toward disarmament. Additionally, IDPD will participate in an international conference scheduled for October 2025 in Nagasaki, Japan, which will further highlight the urgency of nuclear disarmament and global peace.
Syed Ahmed Amiruddin, noted allergist and pediatrician Dr. Arif Ahmed, Media Plus CEO Syed Khaled Shahbaaz, Dr D. Ramkishan, Principal Government Medical College, Narayanpet, Dr Ghouse Mohiuddin, Dr Majid, Tarun Mitra, associate Editor of Rahnuma-e-Deccan Dr Faheemuddin, Sufi Ehtesham Ali, Dr Pratap Reddy, Ms Jyothi, Dr Yousuf Hamidi, Vice President of All India Majlis-e-Tameer e Millat were among prominent participants in the meeting.
