Many victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy still reel from the devastation that the incident caused in their lives.
Huneza Khan | TwoCircles.net
BHOPAL (MADHYA PRADESH) — Every year since 2018, 80-year-old Janki Rekhwar visits Neelam Park in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh to pay homage to the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy and demand justice from the government.
Rekhwar lost three family members to the tragedy—her husband, a 7-year-old daughter and her father-in-law. She is yet to find closure.
“We left our homes wearing wet quilts to save our lives on that black night. All were running to save their lives. Nobody cared about anyone. Many people including us hid in drains. People lost their children. Even the cattle couldn’t survive the poisonous gas,” Janki recalled.
Toxic gas leaking from Union Carbide’s pesticide factory killed thousands in Bhopal on the chilly night of December 2-3, 1984. According to the report by the UN’s International Labour Organization (ILO), at least 30 tons of poisonous gas harmed more than 600,000 workers and nearby inhabitants. It is considered one of the worst industrial disasters in the world. The horrors of that night are still alive in the memories of Bhopalites.
Marking the 38th anniversary of the tragedy, nearly 800 victims protested at Neelam Park on the night of December 2. After paying tribute, the protestors left for Delhi to demand justice for the victims. On December 3, five organizations held a rally at Jantar Mantar, Delhi demanding compensation from Union Carbide and Dow Chemical Company.
Compensation too low for victims
Like other gas victims, the government paid Janki Rekhwar only INR 25,000. She said this wasn’t enough to meet her needs as the tragedy uprooted their family leaving her without a proper source of livelihood. Rekhwar survives by working as a maid.
“My only surviving daughter can’t walk properly because the gas caused her Asthma,” she said.
Janki is one among hundreds of victims who left for the national capital New Delhi to demand justice.
Suffering from an eye disease, Janki said her only hope lies with the government. “My whole life has somehow passed. I have lost everything. I appeal to the government to compensate me for the loss so that I can treat my illness and survive my remaining days,” she said.
Janki said that she joined the gathering to demand justice for everyone. “It is not just me who has lost her loved ones. Everyone has suffered the pain. Many people have given up because they are tired now. They have lost faith in the government. I collected the courage and came here because with or without fighting, we will ultimately die,” she said.
Govt seeking additional compensation for victims
Pertinently, the Supreme Court of India will hear a curative petition on January 10 filed by the government of India in 2010. The petition seeks additional compensation from Dow, of more than ten times the amount it gave in 1989. Last month, the government told the Supreme Court that it is “keen to pursue” it, saying it “cannot abandon” the people.
The petition seeks Union Carbide and other firms to provide an additional fund of Rs 7,844 crore over and above the earlier settlement amount of 470 million USD.
Huneza Khan is a student and a budding journalist from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. She tweets @KhanHuneza