Waiting for justice

It is 25 years since the Bhopal gas tragedy took place. On December 3, 1984, clouds of lethal gas, methyl isocyanate, leaked from Union Carbide's pesticide plant, engulfing the city, snuffing out more than 8,000 lives in the first 72 hours and ruining the lives of future generations. According to a recent report, the victims of India's worst industrial tragedy are still being born. About one in 25 babies in the city are still born with physical deformities and developmental problems. A recent report by Centre of Science and Environment has found soil and groundwater within 3 km radius of the plant still heavily contaminated with pesticides.

So, after a quarter century, where have we reached as far as justice for Bhopal gas victims is concerned? For one, it is a matter of shame that the victims are still battling out in courts to get adequate compensation. Many non-governmental organisations, including Amnesty International, have put their might behind the cause, but justice still eludes the victims. The out-of-court settlement that was reached in 1989 was grossly inadequate, as it took into account a much lower death count as well as of those affected.

Now, let's turn to the punishment aspect of any deliverance of justice. The company concerned, Union Carbide, has been sold to Dow Chemicals, which says it has nothing to do with Carbide's toxic legacy. But, according to Amnesty, correspondence seen by it shows that Dow has been lobbying with Indian ministers in an attempt to close down the ongoing civil cases. What's more, not a single person has been convicted in the case yet. As for Carbide's CEO Warren Anderson, he is still evading Indian courts, with the government yet to move on his extradition, despite having issued a fresh arrest warrant in July this year.

Guess, we may have to wait another 25 years for justice to be delivered.