As the 41st anniversary of the catastrophic Bhopal gas disaster approaches, representatives from four prominent non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have launched a scathing critique against the state's two main political parties. They allege that both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress have systematically failed to support the survivors of the world's worst industrial catastrophe.
A Legacy of Political Failure
At a recent press conference, the NGOs presented a grim picture of political apathy spanning decades. They acknowledged the well-documented failures of the then Congress government at the time of the 1984 disaster, which allowed Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) and its chairman, Warren Anderson, to evade full accountability. However, they sharply turned their focus to the BJP, which has governed the state of Madhya Pradesh for over twenty years and has also held power at the central level for substantial periods.
The NGOs charged that the BJP has not only done little for the gas victims but has actively worked against their interests. This accusation forms the core of their grievance as the somber anniversary nears.
Specific Allegations Against the BJP
Rashida Bee, President of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, presented a serious allegation. She stated that a prominent member of the BJP provided a legal opinion that absolved Dow Chemical, which now owns Union Carbide, of its environmental liabilities in Bhopal. "This opinion was directly contrary to the Indian government's official stance," she charged, calling it a betrayal.
Balkrishna Namdeo, President of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pensionbhogee Sangharsh Morcha, highlighted another critical incident. He revealed that in 2002, when the BJP led the central government, it directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to dilute the criminal charges against Warren Anderson and Union Carbide Corporation. "Credit must go to the judge in the Bhopal district court who rejected CBI's application and prevented this injustice against the Bhopal victims," Namdeo added.
Neglect of Rehabilitation and Ongoing Injustice
Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information & Action addressed the ongoing neglect in rehabilitation efforts. "Medical and economic rehabilitation of Bhopal survivors have been worst under BJP rule," she claimed. Dhingra pointed out that in 2008, under a Congress-led central government, survivors secured a commitment for an Empowered Commission on Bhopal for long-term rehabilitation. However, she alleged that the BJP state government subsequently halted this crucial initiative, leaving survivors to suffer without structured support.
Nawab Khan, president of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, highlighted a contemporary commercial injustice. He noted that despite legal restrictions, public-sector undertakings in India are openly purchasing Union Carbide products from Dow Chemical. "The corporation is expanding its business in India like never before," Khan said, underscoring the bitter irony for those still seeking justice and compensation.
The collective message from these NGOs is one of profound disappointment. As the 41st anniversary passes, the survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy continue their struggle, feeling abandoned by the political forces that have governed them, with neither of the major national parties being spared from criticism.
