In this budget, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took a unique step, breaking away from the shackles of Nehruvian socialism. On February 1, she proposed opening up the nuclear power sector to private players and announced a ₹20,000 crore Nuclear Energy Mission to fund research in the field. The initiative aims to establish five small and modular reactors by 2033. However, this reform did not sit well with the hardline communist factions.
In a podcast featuring alleged historian Ashok Pandey, communist Raju Parelkar claimed that inviting the Adani Group into the nuclear power sector poses a national security risk, arguing that the same uranium is used for both nuclear weapons and energy production. He further alleged that the Indian government introduced this move specifically to benefit Adani. Additionally, he asserted that this decision is unprecedented, as countries caution against allowing private players into the nuclear energy sector. He further gave an example of the Chernobyl tragedy.
Tanmoy stated, ‘𝐖𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐔𝐩, 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚! 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐭e. Atomic Energy in the Hands of Adani❗A Threat to National and International Security Under PMModi’s leadership, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is reportedly paving the way for Gautam Adani — a Private Businessman & Modi’s Friend with no proven expertise in this sensitive field—to enter India’s Nuclear Energy Sector. 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤- Nuclear energy is a strategic domain, traditionally reserved for state control due to its potential for misuse. Handing it to a private player with alleged ties to foreign entities (like China) opens the door to sabotage, espionage, and loss of sovereign control.𝐈𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬- Adani’s empire is built on coal and infrastructure, not nuclear science. Entrusting him with a ₹44,000 crore nuclear venture risks catastrophic mismanagement—think safety failures or even accidental disasters. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬- A private entity with questionable transparency managing nuclear assets could destabilize global trust. India’s nuclear credibility, hard-earned as a responsible power, could crumble, alarming neighbors and allies alike. 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲- Modi’s pattern of favoring Adani—seen in projects like the Gujarat energy park near Pakistan’s border—shows profit trumping security. This isn’t governance; it’s a betrayal of India’s future. Wake Up, India! 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲.’
Rashmi INC, MG and Raju Parelekar also shared a similar claim.
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Claim 1: Nuclear power and nuclear weapons use the same Uranium.
Fact: To verify this claim, we conducted research and found information from the U.S. Department of Energy and PBS News, which clarify the differences between uranium used in nuclear reactors and nuclear bombs.
Types of Uranium and Their Uses
• Natural Uranium: Contains 99.27% Uranium-238 (U-238) and 0.711% Uranium-235 (U-235). It is not directly usable for energy or weapons.
• Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU): Has 3-5% U-235 and is used as fuel in nuclear power plants to generate electricity.
• Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU): Has over 20% U-235, and when enriched to 90% or more, it becomes weapons-grade uranium, used in nuclear bombs.
• Depleted Uranium: Has less than 0.711% U-235, making it unsuitable for energy or weapons.
How Nuclear Reactors Work
A nuclear reactor generates power through controlled nuclear fission. When slow-moving neutrons hit U-235 atoms, they split, releasing heat energy that produces steam to drive turbines and generate electricity. The rate of reaction is controlled by neutron-absorbing rods, ensuring a steady and safe energy output.
Since natural uranium contains only 0.7% U-235, it must be enriched to around 4% for use in power plants. This process is called enrichment and ensures that reactors maintain a controlled and sustained fission reaction.
How Nuclear Bombs Work
In contrast, nuclear bombs require uranium enriched to 90% or more (weapons-grade uranium). This high concentration of U-235 allows for an uncontrolled chain reaction, where each fission event triggers more fissions at an exponentially increasing rate. Unlike reactors, there are no control rods to regulate the process. The result is a massive, rapid release of energy, causing a nuclear explosion.
Hence, nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons use the same uranium is false. While both use uranium, the level of enrichment is the key difference. Reactor fuel contains only a small percentage of U-235 and is designed for controlled energy production, while weapons require highly enriched uranium for rapid, explosive chain reactions. Thus, allowing private companies into the nuclear power sector does not pose a national security risk, as the uranium used in power plants cannot be directly used to make nuclear weapons.
| Feature | Nuclear Reactor (Power Plants) | Nuclear Bombs |
| Uranium Type | Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) | Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) |
| U-235 Content | 3-5% | 90%+ (Weapons-Grade) |
| Reaction Type | Controlled, steady fission | Uncontrolled chain reaction |
| Purpose | Electricity generation | Explosive detonation |
| Safety Mechanisms | Control rods regulate reaction | Control rods regulate the reaction |
Claim 2: The government launched the PPP model for nuclear energy generation solely to benefit Adani.
Fact: To verify this claim, we examined reports from Business Today and Business Standard, which provide a broader picture of private sector participation in India’s nuclear energy sector. According to a Business Today article published on March 3, 2025, the government’s ₹20,000-crore Nuclear Energy Mission has received overwhelming interest from multiple private players, including smaller companies looking to invest as part of their clean energy goals. To encourage private investment, the government plans to amend the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act.
India has set an ambitious target of developing 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2047, which requires significant investment beyond public sector undertakings.
The article further states that major corporations such as Adani, Reliance, JSW, Vedanta, NTPC, and Tata Power have already expressed interest in entering the nuclear power sector. Additionally, renewable energy companies like ACME Solar Holdings are also exploring nuclear energy as a new avenue for diversification.
A Business Standard article from February 7, 2025, highlights that the Naveen Jindal Group has entered the nuclear energy sector by establishing Jindal Nuclear Power Private Limited. The company aims to contribute 18 GW to India’s 100 GW nuclear energy goal by 2047. This new entity, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jindal Renewables, plans to build, own, and operate nuclear power plants using advanced technology to ensure high safety, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
Therefore, the claim that the government introduced private sector participation in nuclear power solely to benefit Adani is false. Several major private companies, including Tata, Vedanta, JSW, Reliance, and Jindal, have already entered the nuclear energy sector, demonstrating that the initiative is not exclusive to any single business group. Instead, the move aligns with India’s broader energy strategy to diversify power generation, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and achieve its 100 GW nuclear energy target by 2047.
Claim 3: The decision to invite private players into the nuclear energy sector is unprecedented, as most countries avoid privatization in this field.
Fact: While nuclear disasters like Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) were tragic, past incidents should not dictate or hinder future advancements in nuclear energy. Several countries have successfully integrated private sector participation into their nuclear industries while maintaining strict safety regulations.
A study titled “Atomic Energy: From ‘Public’ to ‘Private’ Power – The US, UK, and Japan in Comparative Perspective” provides historical insights into how nuclear energy transitioned from government control to private sector participation:
•United Kingdom: The UK partially privatized its nuclear industry in July 1996, over 40 years after launching its nuclear energy program under the Churchill government in 1954.
•United States: The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 allowed private ownership of nuclear facilities, following Congressional hearings and public debate to amend the 1946 McMahon Act, which had previously enforced a government monopoly on nuclear energy.
•Japan: The 1955 Atomic Energy Law led to a mixed public-private model, allowing private companies to participate in the nuclear sector while maintaining government oversight.
According to the World Nuclear Association, private companies play a major role in nuclear power across several countries: In the United States, nuclear power plants in the US are operated by 30 different private power companies across 30 states. Since 2001, these plants have achieved an average capacity factor of over 90%, making nuclear the most efficient energy source compared to wind (32%) and solar (22%) (as per EIA data). The US nuclear industry invests around $7.5 billion annually in maintenance and upgrades.
Several other private companies operate in the nuclear sector. For example, EDF (France): A leading power generation company managing multiple nuclear plants. Rosatom (Europe): Focuses on advanced nuclear reactors while complying with EU regulations. ŠKODA JS (Europe): Develops and maintains nuclear reactor technology. Bilfinger (Europe): Provides support services for nuclear plants. Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO): A global leader in nuclear energy. NextEra Energy: One of the world’s largest nuclear power companies.
Thus, the claim that allowing private players into nuclear energy is unprecedented is false. Several countries, including the US, UK, Japan, and many European nations, have private companies actively involved in nuclear power generation.
In conclusion, the opposition to private sector participation in nuclear energy is rooted in an outdated socialist mindset that fears economic liberalization and clings to the idea of state control over all industries. However, history and global examples prove that controlled privatization, when implemented with proper regulations, leads to efficiency, innovation, and growth. The government’s nuclear policy is not about privatization at the cost of security; it is about modernizing India’s energy infrastructure, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and ensuring energy independence. The socialist obsession with centralized control has failed globally, and India must reject this backward ideology if it wants to lead the future of clean energy and technological progress.
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