Feature story - June 24, 2004
The government of India has finally bowed to pressure and agreed to allow a U.S. Court to possibly rule that Dow Chemical should clean up the site of the ongoing Bhopal disaster. Mounting pressure from three determined hunger strikers, intensive lobbying by us, other Bhopal groups and thousands of online activists helped turn round the position of the Indian government.
Children of JP Nagar and Ayubnagar, the second generation affected by the disaster in Bhopal, India.
"This statement brings us one step closer to a historic order by the U.S. Court directing Union Carbide (now owned by Dow) to clean up the toxic contamination in and around the factory premises in Bhopal," said Satinath Sarangi, Bhopal activist and one of those on hunger strike. "Such an Order will not only uphold the 'Polluter Pays' principle, but will set a precedence to hold multinational companies accountable in their home country for their actions abroad."
More than 20,000 people have been affected by the serious contamination emanating from the tons of toxic chemicals and chemical waste dumped in and around the Union Carbide factory premises. They, and their supporters from around the world, now expect the U.S. District Court to order Union Carbide to clean up the contamination at Bhopal to the best global standards possible.
"We hope that the Prime Minister who intervened in this matter will show the same kind of sensitivity and alacrity in dealing with other pending issues in Bhopal and in holding Union Carbide's new owner Dow Chemicals liable for the pending issues in Bhopal," said Rasheeda Bi, winner of the Goldman Prize 2004, who has also been on hunger strike since June 18th along with Mr. Shahid Noor, who was orphaned by the gas leak in 1984.
Thousands of people also urged action from the Indian government from our online action, thank you to everyone who took part in this and other actions. Hundreds of Bhopal supporters, who have also been on hunger strike in solidarity with the three activists fasting in Dehli, celebrated the good news by breaking their fast.