Washington
40 years ago in 1984, the night of 2nd and 3rd December was the most horrific night not only in the history of Bhopal but also in the history of the country. On this night the gas tragedy took place in Bhopal. On the night of 2 December, leakage of poisonous gas methyl isocyanite started from the Union Carbide pesticide plant located in Bhopal. Within no time, 3787 people lost their lives in the tragedy. But this was a government figure. According to the report presented in the Supreme Court, more than 15,724 people have lost their lives in the Bhopal tragedy.
Proposal to celebrate National Chemical Disaster Awareness Day
A resolution has been passed in the US Parliament on the completion of 40 years of the Bhopal gas tragedy. Under this, there is a proposal to declare December 3 as National Chemical Disaster Awareness Day in America. This proposal was introduced by Merkley, Ron Wyden and Peter Welch. Now it has been sent to the Committee on Judiciary. The proposal holds Dow Inc. and Union Carbide responsible. There has also been a demand for compensation to the victims.
what’s in the offer
The proposal said that on December 3, 1984, poisonous methyl isocyanate gas was leaked from a pesticide factory of Union Carbide in Bhopal city of India. Within 72 hours of this accident, 8,000 people lost their lives and more than 500,000 people were injured. It was the world’s biggest industrial disaster.
Tragedy’s generational impact on people
The proposal also states that a tragedy like Bhopal has had an adverse economic and generational impact. The death rate of accident survivors is quite high in Bhopal. More than 150,000 survivors are suffering from chronic diseases. About 500,000 people are facing physical and economic difficulties.
Survivors at higher risk of cancer
The proposal also cites a study by the University of San Diego. It states that the persons who were in Bhopal at the time of the disaster. They have higher rates of cancer and disability. This has also affected the level of employment and education.
Demand raised for extradition of Anderson
The resolution states that the Indian government has charged Union Carbide and its former Chief Executive Officer Warren Anderson with culpable homicide. This is equivalent to murder under US law. In such a situation, Anderson’s act is an extraditable offence. It also says that it is important to ensure that no community in the world has to face a Bhopal-like incident again.
The company ignored the summons of Indian courts
A demand has also been made to take timely action on the request of the Government of India against Dow Inc., the company that bought Union Carbide. The motion says Union Carbide and its representatives have ignored summonses to appear in court in India. Two extradition treaties were signed between India and America in 1942. India also applied under this. But the presence of company representatives could not be ensured.
