Bhopal Gas Tragedy

Bhopal Gas Tragedy, something that I had been hearing from the days I remember….We all know that justice delayed is justice denied…..

Nearing midnight on Sunday, December 2 1984, a cloud of deadly gas erupted from a storage tank in the Carbide plant. It spread some 27 tonnes of poison -- think of it, 27 tonnes wafting through the air -- over a sleeping city.





And now after 25 long years, there is huge debate and consternation at the end result of those convicted for this chemical disaster.

Union Carbide Corporation and Dow Chemicals, which took over UCC in 2001, did not take responsibility for the leak. UCC, however, abided by a 1989 Supreme Court ruling asking it to pay compensation of $470 million after a long legal battle in the US and India.
UCC and its Indian subsidiary paid $465 million, which was deposited with the Reserve Bank of India.
The courts asked the victims for documentary proof that they had indeed been exposed to the methyl isocynate gas. The victims were given about $2,000. Those who escaped with injuries were given $500. Interim relief was paid every month for six years to some people.
The courts have given a punishment to those involved in the Union Carbide management a jail term of 2 years. The public and most concerned voices show discontent. 15, 000 dead and hundreds suffering the after effects of the leak, and now 2 years in jail for the management of the Company!!? ?

A poem by Annie Zaidi, Which I read now at
HTTP://GUNJAAISH.BLOGSPOT.COM/

Annie Zaidi:
Poison breath, poison blood
Poison milk, poison mud
Poison pump, poison tap
Poison in your mama’s lap
Eyes of milk, limbs askew
Dow child mine, is that you?

Baby-making, weird art
Many arrive with half their parts
You don’t know the nuts and bolts
Little girls bleed, women don’t
There’s mercury and chromium too
Dow child mine, is that you?

Applications, admin blues
So many don’ts for one big do
Petition-petition boring game
How to run if you are lame
Dharna-dharna, starve and sue
Dow child mine, is that you?

Leader comes, toxin pet
Says I’m fine, not dead yet
He fought toxin long ago
Now he’s paid for, top to toe
Back bent whole, toothless too
Dow child mine, is that you?