By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: The agony of the survivors of Bhopal holocaust who are agitating for their demands after walking down all the way about 800 kms. from Bhopal to New Delhi continues unabated.
On the road and pavement for last 116 days and without food for last four days following global hunger strike the survivors’ indomitable spirit seems to be undiminishing. While the powers that be appear to be in no mood to budge and concede their demands.
The three Bhopal organizations viz. Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangarsh Morcha and Bhopal Group for Information and Action fighting for the survivors are demanding a Special Empowered Commission to address economic, social, medical and environmental rehabilitation and provision of clean water. They have also asked for legal action against Dow and Union Carbide.
It may be mentioned here that a statement read by the Indian Prime Minister’s emissary Prithviraj Chavan conveyed its in-principle agreement to a Commission, but remained silent on the matter of legal action against Dow and Carbide. Even on the issue of the Commission, the PM’s statement is vague and devoid of crucial details such as timelines and budget.
Bhopal survivors and victims of water contamination have been sitting on “dharna” (sit-in) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi since March 28 last, which is when 50 of them arrived after covering 800 kms. on foot from Bhopal to New Delhi.
Reports emanating from New Delhi said 25 people, including 23 women, are in judicial custody since June 10 for participating in a non-violent demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s Office on June 9. Fourteen children who also participated in the protest were detained overnight at Parliament Street police station and released late the next day. During their detention, children ranging in age from 6 to 16, and Goldman Environmental Prize winner Rashida Bee were physically abused by the police. One youth was hurt in his eye, and sent to the hospital on June 9 night.
Some of the Parliament Street policepersons who were identified by the Bhopalis include: Mahendra Singh, Naresh Malik, Suraj Bhan, Yad Ram and policewoman Manisha as key participants in the abuse.
Two women – Rachna Dhingra and Meera More – who are currently in Tihar Jail, began an indefinite hunger strike on June 10 along with 7 other Bhopal activists who are carrying out their fast from Jantar Mantar. So far, 43 people from five countries have signed up through the www.bhopal.net website to fast in solidarity with the Bhopalis. Among these six, including Booker-shortlisted author Indra Sinha, Texas-based fisherwoman and activist Diane Wilson, and four others from US and India have said they will fast indefinitely with the Bhopalis until justice is done.
Meanwhile, talking to media persons at the Bhopal “dharna sthal” (sit-in site) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, CPI National Secretary D. Raja reportedly said:”I have raised the Bhopal issue in Parliament and outside repeatedly. I have written to the Prime Minister and had talks with various ministers and MPs. I learnt about the police action against the agitators a few days ago. I condemn the police action, and I condemn the arrest of the women. The Government should withdraw all charges against the Bhopalis forthwith, and should immediately release them. The Government should agree to the model law and set up a high powered commission as demanded by the Bhopal people. I know that several MPs cutting across political parties have extended their support to the Commission [proposed by the Bhopal organizations]. Why is the Government not making a serious effort to resolve these issues. This Government says it is for the “Aam Admi.” Are these people not your Aam Aadmi? How long does the Government expect the victims to sit on the pavement? And if the Government does not act, what else is left to common people but to agitate, to struggle?”
While commending the CPI for playing an active role in projecting their demands in the parliament, the Bhopal survivors have called upon other left parties, particularly the CPM, to use its influence to ensure that the UPA Government doesn’t veer off the path of justice in Bhopal. ([email protected])