Bhopal Gas Tragedy Survivors Demand Accountability from Donald Trump


Bhopal: Four decades after the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, survivors continue to seek justice for what is considered the world’s deadliest industrial disaster.



According to Kashmir Media Service, on the 40th anniversary of the catastrophe, four NGOs advocating for justice organized a rally to the abandoned Union Carbide factory on the outskirts of Bhopal, carrying an effigy symbolizing “corporate crime.” The victims marched through the streets, condemning local, national, and international leaders for their perceived roles in denying justice and dignity to survivors. Many continue to drink water contaminated by Union Carbide’s toxic waste.



As part of the commemoration, survivor organizations held a torch rally to honor the victims and raise awareness. Rashida Bee, President of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh, criticized U.S. Presidents from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama for protecting Union Carbide and Dow Chemical from accountability. Bee called on President-elect Donald Trump to address the longstanding injustice and hold the companies responsible, invoking Theodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal to regulate corporate misconduct.



Nawab Khan, leader of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, criticized international organizations for their indifference, noting that if the disaster were natural, agencies like the World Health Organization would have offered long-term support. Instead, victims are treated as “expendable.”



Balkrishna Namdev, a 71-year-old social activist, emphasized the corporate neglect for human life and the environment. He stated, “Corporations prioritize profit over people and the planet. With their wealth, they buy governments and silence opposition, while people continue to suffer.”



The disaster, occurring on the night of December 2-3, 1984, involved a leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant, marking one of history’s deadliest industrial accidents. Thousands died immediately, and many more perished in the years following due to long-term health effects. The site still contains 337 tonnes of toxic waste, contaminating the surrounding soil and groundwater. Despite repeated calls for action, the toxic legacy remains. The 40th-anniversary events, starting November 15, 2024, highlight the enduring struggle for justice and the ongoing environmental disaster. For survivors and advocacy groups, Bhopal remains an ongoing corporate crime.

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