April 01, 2026 12:32 pm (IST)
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Bhopal Gas disaster victims claim historical victory
New Delhi, Nov 20 (IBNS): Five organizations of the survivors of the Union Carbide disaster, which shook the city of Bhopal on December 1984, claimed historic victory in their recent protest at New Delhi.
The statement from the organizations stated that the Minister of Chemical & Fertilizers had agreed to both of their demands on additional compensation for the disaster.
The organizations are hopeful of speedy implementation of the decisions taken at their meeting with the Minister and the bureaucrats.
“The Minister has promised full commitment to having scientific data as the basis for assessment of injury caused by Union Carbide. There is abundant evidence in medical research and hospital records to show that well over 90% people suffered injuries that were neither minor nor temporary. They will now be entitled to Rs 1 Lakh additional compensation that was denied to them earlier,” said Rashida Bee, of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh.
Five women survivors, Premlata, Vishnu Bai, Kasturi Bai, Shehazadi Bee, Kamla Bai and their supporter, Bhopal Group for Information & Action member, Rachna Dhingra who fasted for four days without water were also present at the press conference jointly addressed by the five organizations.
Balkrishna Namdeo of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pensionbhogee Sangharsh Morcha, said, “We are happy to report that in place of the unreliable records being used so far the central Minister in charge of Bhopal has agreed to rely on scientific research and hospital records for assessment of death and injury caused by the disaster. He has assured us that the curative petition will be amended accordingly and an application for its urgent hearing will be filed in the Supreme Court soon.”
Nawab Khan of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha said that they have been assured that the Ministry would soon correspond with central and state government agencies seeking scientific data and hospital records.
“We thank the Minister for putting an end to the faulty medical categorization as the basis of assessment of injury caused by the disaster. The unscientific process of categorization with its absurd results is a 27 year old mistake that contributed to denial justice to the survivors,” said Safreen Khan of the Children Against Dow Carbide.
Rachna Dhingra said, “We are sure once the curative petition is based on scientific figures, the additional compensation amount payable by Union Carbide and Dow Chemical would go up significantly. This could well mean a minimum of Rs 5 lakhs of additional compensation from the corporations for each gas victim.”
The women who fasted, some of who are still recovering from the effects of the water-less fast, said they would repeat their life-threatening act if the occasion demanded.
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