Set up empowered commission to ensure Bhopal gas tragedy victims get medical care, demand activists
Bhopal (PTI): Organisations and activists on Tuesday demanded an empowered commission to ensure the Bhopal gas tragedy victims receive proper medical care, compensation, and rehabilitation, and accused the Madhya Pradesh government of "inaction".
Various organisations in Bhopal paid tributes to the gas tragedy victims by taking out torchlight processions and candlelight vigils on the 41st anniversary of one of the worst industrial disasters in the world.
Highly toxic methyl isocyanate gas leaked from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal on the intervening nights of December 2-3, 1984. At least 5,479 people were killed and thousands were maimed.
The government has declared December 3 a holiday in the state capital. Schools, colleges, banks and all government offices will remain shut.
An all-religion prayer meeting has been organised at the 'Barkatullah Bhawan' of the Central Library, which will be attended by minister Shah.
Talking to PTI, Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action criticised the move, and said, "The idea of dharma sabha (all-religion prayer meeting) is not only ridiculous, but also hypocritical. Gas victims are dying every day and suffering due to the government's inaction."
"Gas victims are being deprived of free and proper medical care throughout the year because there are no doctors in gas relief hospitals. Funds allocated for employment and pensions for Bhopal gas victims are being misused. Toxic waste has not been cleaned up, and the culprits are still at large," she said.
If the government truly cares about the victims, it should establish an empowered commission on the Bhopal gas tragedy to ensure they receive proper medical care, compensation, and rehabilitation, she demanded.
Dhingra also accused Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation of never visiting the areas where gas victims live.
The Sambhavna Trust Clinic, which works for the rights of gas victims, organised a torchlight procession from the Chola Ganesh temple in the capital and paid tributes to the gas victims.
Earlier, the families of the victims burned an effigy of Dow Chemical (the current owner of Union Carbide).
An official from the Sambhavna Trust Clinic said that more than 26,000 gas victims have received treatment there so far.
The Bhopal Gas Peedit Audyogik Sangthan also organised a torchlight procession from Shahjahani Park to pay tributes to the gas victims.
On the 41st anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy, a candlelight vigil was held at the Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre. Hospital staff, including the in-charge medical superintendent, Dr Anurag Yadav, was present.
This institute was established as directed by the Supreme Court to provide a comprehensive three-tier, super-specialised care to the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy and to extend its services to the wider public.
On Monday, four organisations working for the victims of the gas tragedy, released a "Bhopal victims' charge sheet" against the BJP, alleging that despite being in power at the Centre and in the state, the party worked in the interest of American corporations rather than Indian citizens.
However, the BJP categorically rejected these allegations, stating the party government has always prioritised and seriously addressed the issues of Bhopal gas victims, whether they involve legal matters, treatment or any other subject.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
