As Madhya Pradesh is going to polls on November 17, several issues ranging from migration of Adivasis to agricultural distress and soft Hindutva have become a part of the discourse. But certainly no political party seems to be interested in talking about Bhopal Gas Tragedy and its victims. Moreover, the decision of the Election Commission to declare the results of the MP Assembly Election on December 3 is akin to rubbing salt into the wound of the victims and their families.
The victims of the tragedy and the survivors who have been struggling for justice for the last 39 years point out how their issues have always been undermined.
"The day when we mourn the deceased, we protest for justice, this time some parties will celebrate (election victory). This is so humiliating," says Balkrishna Namdeo of Bhopal Gas Pidit Nirashrit Pension Bhogi Sangathan. Referring to the gas tragedy as the world's most horrific massacre, he adds, "The number of deaths touched a world record on that night. Then how could the Election Commision do it? They could have declared results on any other day."
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Nawab Khan, a survivor in his mid-70s, points out how consecutive governments have tried to suppress the issue. "This is the day when the whole world mourns with us."
On the horrific intervening night of December 2/3, 1984, a chemical leak from the Union Carbide industry in Bhopal led to an estimated death of around 20,000 people. However, the after effects of the leak continue to be felt for generations.
"As per the government data, during Covid-19 pandemic, four times the normal deaths occured in the affected region due to already persisting infection and health hazards," says Rachna Dhingra, a social activist who has been for decades fighting for the rights of the gas tragedy victims.
Several organisations are planning to write to the Election Commission soon asking them to change the date of declaration of results. Rashida Bibi, another survivor, says that they are planning to demonstrate in Bhopal if the poll panel fails to listen to them. "The winning candidates will play drums and celebrate on a day when thousands of people lost their lives. This is utterly shameful."
On that horrific night, people fled from their homes and tried to run to safe zones but most of them failed. "On the evening of December 2, I was attending a meeting and we started running towards TT Nagar. I saw women running with their kids in lap," says Namdeo.
Their are still several issues persisting in the lives of victims. Neither they are getting proper compensation, nor pension. "There are files after files stacked in the Collectorate and rarely people are getting pension," he adds.
However, it is no more an electoral issue.
The State Election Commision and Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan told Outlook, as the central election commission would be in a postion to comment on the matter as they decide the dates associated with polls and poll results.
Outlook tried to reach out to Vishvas Sarang, the Minister of Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation as well. We are yet to receive a response from his side.
