38 years on, survivors of Bhopal gas tragedy still await ‘just compensation’

Survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy protested at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday, demanding 'just compensation' from Union Carbide. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

December 3, 2022 marked the 38th anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy in Madhya Pradesh, one of the world's biggest industrial disasters. Harmful Methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas started leaking from a nearby Union Carbide pesticide plant, eventually resulting in the Bhopal Gas tragedy, where an estimated 3,000 people died within the first few days. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

Those who suffered the effects firsthand have continued insisting that the company at the centre of it all – Union Carbide, now a part of Dow Jones – has not fulfilled its responsibility in terms of providing just compensation.(Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

Following the gas leak, people living in nearby areas reported a burning sensation in their eyes and difficulties in breathing, with many also losing consciousness. Its effects were such that apart from killing thousands of people in a short span of time, it led to disease and other long-term problems for many who inhaled the gas.(Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

A delay of many years since the judgment was passed has reduced the chances of any change in the status quo for compensation that goes beyond the already conducted settlement. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

In Saturday's protest at Jantar Mantar, women and children participated in large numbers and raised their voices against Dow Jones for delaying them compensation. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

Demonstrators at Jantar Mantar held placards with slogans against Dow Jones. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

To date, the reproductive health of many of Bhopal’s women has been affected, and children born to those exposed to the gas have faced congenital health problems.(Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

People take part in a candlelight vigil to pay tributes to the victims of 1984’s Gas Tragedy on its anniversary, in Bhopal, Friday, Dec.2, 2022.

Children born with congenital disabilities, believed to be caused by the exposure of their parents to gas leakage during the Union Carbide gas leak disaster in 1984, along with their relatives and supporters take part in a candle light vigil to pay homage to the victims of the tragedy to mark its 38th anniversary, in Bhopal, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. (PTI)