Post date: Dec 02, 2013 5:43:47 PM
Survivors of Bhopal gas tragedy hold a candle light vigil and protest for justice in India's central Madhya Pradesh state.
BHOPAL, MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA (DECEMBER 02, 2013) (ANI) - Survivors of Bhopal gas tragedy held a candle light vigil and protested for justice in India's central Madhya Pradesh state on Monday (December 02).
Twenty-nine painful years after world's worst industrial disaster, victims demanded justice as in all these years, babies were stillborn, ill formed and ground water contamination in the area is at dangerous levels, which has put lives at perennial risk.In the early hours of December 03, 1984, a pesticide factory owned by the U.S. multinational, Union Carbide, accidentally released about 40 metric tonnes of deadly methyl isocyanate gas into Bhopal's atmosphere.
The wind carried the gas to surrounding areas - mainly densely populated slums - exposing around half a million people.
Protestors lit candles and torches and shouted slogans against the Indian and provincial government.
Leader of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udyog Sangathan (Bhopal Gas Victims Women Organisation), Abdul Jabbar explained the purpose of the protest.
"The purpose of this candle march is that even after 29 years, the fire of suffering continues to burn in our hearts till today. This fire is against the Indian government, its attitude, Union Carbide, Dow Chemicals, UNO (United Nations) and theprovincial government. It is also against those who support Carbide," said Jabbar.
According to the activists, about 100,000 people who were exposed to the gas now suffer from ailments that range from cancer and blindness to birth defects.
A protestor said that the protest was a symbol of fire burning in their hearts as they keep the fight for justice on.
"We feel satisfied after lighting these torches as they symbolise the fire in our hearts. We want Warren Anderson to burn in this fire. This is our fight. Unless the survivors are rehabilitated, the company Dow chemicals is removed that continues to exist here, till we are alive, this fire will keep burning and we will continue to fight till we get justice," said a protestor, Hamida.
A separate trial against Union Carbide and Warren Anderson who was its CEO during the time of the accident on charges including homicide is stuck as Anderson remains absconding.
In India's notoriously slow judicial system it may take years before a decision is reached.
DOW, which bought Union Carbide in 2001, has repeatedly denied any responsibility for Bhopal and has refused demands, including from the Indian government, to increase the meagre $470-million compensation package that Union Carbide paid to the unfortunate victims in 1989.