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The tragedy began late on the night of 2 December and continued until the morning of 3 December, causing widespread suffering, long-term health problems and displacement of people.
About 45 tonnes of the toxic chemical methyl isocyanate leaked from a pesticide plant controlled by the Indian division of Union Carbide Corporation.
The gas spread into the densely populated areas surrounding the factory, killing hundreds instantly and causing panic as thousands rushed to evacuate the city.
what happened in 1984
The Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984 is considered one of the worst industrial disasters in history. While most residents were sleeping, at about 11 pm on 2 December 1984, an operator at the plant noticed a small leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas and increasing pressure inside a storage tank.
A series of safety failures followed: the vent-gas scrubber was clogged, a faulty valve allowed water to mix with the MIC, and the refrigeration unit ran out of refrigerant. At 1 am on December 3, a safety valve closed, releasing a plume of poisonous gas into the air.
The result was disastrous; Thousands of people died, hospitals were overwhelmed, and the streets were strewn with human corpses and the carcasses of animals and birds. The disaster killed an estimated 3,800 people instantly and left behind a legacy of suffering Bhopal Synonym for industrial disaster. According to reports, the final death toll was estimated to be between 15,000 and 20,000.
long term effects
Although the accident occurred decades ago, survivors and their children are still grappling with its consequences, including health, environmental, and economic problems. According to Rachna Dhingra of the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal, “the disaster continues to kill and disable new generations,” the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health report said in 2024.
UCC paid $470 million in compensation
result after bhopal gas tragedy Saw that the company is trying to absolve itself from legal responsibility. Ultimately, after mediation by the Indian Supreme Court, the company accepted moral responsibility and agreed to pay $470 million in compensation to the Indian government in 1989.
The settlement was based on disputed claims of 3,000 deaths and 102,000 permanent disabilities, a very small amount based on a substantial underestimate of the long-term health effects of the exposure and the number of individuals affected.
In contrast, asbestos victims in US courts received much higher compensation from UCC and other defendants. As of October 2003, 554,895 people and 15,310 survivors of those killed had been compensated for injuries, with families of the dead receiving an average of $2,200.
Following outrage over previous UCIL officials receiving only two years in prison and minor penalties, the government decided to evaluate compensation in June 2010.
The Attorney General of India filed a curative petition, requesting that the case be reviewed and the compensation increased to $1.1 billion. The government said the initial compensation was based on inaccurate estimates and failed to assess the severity of damage caused to human life and the environment. The petition suggested that additional compensation should be paid by Union Carbide’s successor companies.
However, in 2023, the Supreme Court rejected the petition, saying it was “not legally maintainable and lacks merit in the facts of the case”. According to the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, over Till July 31, 2024, Rs 1549.33 crore had been distributed to more than 5,73,959 claimants.
Survivors’ groups criticize BJP for ‘denying’ justice
On the 41st anniversary, four organizations representing the December 1 survivors accused the BJP of denying them justice and prolonging their suffering. Organizations issued a “Bhopal The survivors’ charge sheet against the BJP” during a press conference alleged that the party has consistently served the interests of American corporations more than the interests of Indian citizens.
According to Rashida B, president of Bhopal Gas Victims Women Stationary Employees Union, “BJP has betrayed the state government and the Centre.” bhopal gas tragedy “The survivors are not like any other political party.”
According to a PTI report, Balkrishna Namdev, president of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Nashrishrit Pensionbhogi Sangharsh Morcha, said, “In 2002, the then Union Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani had directed the prosecuting agency CBI to reduce criminal charges against Warren Anderson (former CEO of American company UCC) and Union Carbide in the criminal case related to the disaster. The credit for this should go to the Bhopal district court judge who rejected the CBI’s application and Stopping this injustice against the victims.”
Meanwhile, Nawab Khan, president of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, asserted that US giant Dow Chemical, which bought Union Carbide in 1999, is still expanding its operations in India. “Despite being banned by law, public sector undertakings are openly purchasing Union Carbide products from Dow Chemical and the corporation is expanding its business in India like never before,” he alleged.
The state government rejected the allegations. BJP spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi said, “Our government has always taken the issues related to Bhopal gas victims on priority and seriously, be they related to judicial matters, medical treatment or any other subject. I respectfully disagree with all the allegations made against the BJP.”
Activists demand a strong commission
Organizations and activists on Tuesday accused the Madhya Pradesh government of ‘inaction’ and demanded an empowered commission to ensure that victims of the tragedy get proper medical care, compensation and rehabilitation.
Speaking to PTI, Rachna Dhingra of Bhopal Group for Information and Action said, “The idea of a Dharam Sabha (all-religion prayer meeting) is not only ridiculous but also hypocritical. Gas victims are dying every day and suffering because of the government’s inaction.”
He said, if the government really cares about the victims, it should set up an authorized commission to investigate the Bhopal gas tragedy and ensure that they get proper medical care, compensation and rehabilitation.