Bhopal: Despite the passage of 40 years, the survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy continue to demonstrate their resilience. On the 40th anniversary of one of the largest chemical disasters, they took to the streets, holding banners, pamphlets, and photographs, in a powerful protest march.

During the protest march, a large number of women, men, and children, holding placards, walked around the abandoned factory site while raising the slogan ‘Bhopal Ka Insaaf Karo’.

The protesters carrying an effigy of “corporate crime” denounced various regional, national and international leaders and relief organisations for their continued “involvement in the denial of justice and a life of dignity to survivors of the catastrophe”.

Rachna Dhingra, a Bhopal Group for Information and Action representative, emphasised the survivors’ urgent plea for justice. She stated that the protest was a clear and loud call for the long-overdue justice that the survivors deserve.

In a conversation with IANS, Dhingra highlighted the survivors’ demand for corporate accountability. She pointed out that despite the Union Carbide Corporation-owned Dow Chemical’s business in India increasing more than tenfold, the government has failed to hold them accountable for the Bhopal gas tragedy.

“We believe that US President-designate Donald Trump puts an end to the long history of injustice in Bhopal in his effort to make America great again. We hope Trump will take action against Union Carbide Corporation and the Dow Chemical company,” she added.

Balkrishna Namdeo, another activist fighting for justice, highlighted the alarming situation. He said that all scientific studies were now pointing out the ongoing illnesses and continuing deaths among the half-a-million survivors, with health impacts even on their children.

He also blamed the Centre and Madhya Pradesh governments for the “delay” in shifting hazardous chemicals on the factory’s ground.

“In 10 years, the groundwater in Bhopal, which should have been cleaned by Dow Chemical, according to the polluter pays principle, has moved 3 kilometres into the city,” he added.

On the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, the highly toxic gas methyl isocyanate (MIC) leaked from Union Carbide’s pesticide plant. Its aftermath continues to wreak havoc in the lives of hundreds of thousands of survivors.

Ironically, the difference in the number of deaths which occurred due to this chemical disaster remained a puzzle for the administrations. Surveys conducted by agencies at different times have provided different numbers of casualties.

Some earlier reports suggested the number of casualties was between 5,000 and 6,000, while in some other reports, the number of deaths has increased up to 15,000. Some other reports claimed the death toll could be over one lakh. However, there is no accurate data regarding the number of casualties.

For instance, the Indian Council of Medical Research’s report, in its survey conducted between 1984 and 1993, mentioned as many as 9,667 deaths attributable to the disaster up to 1994.

Reports also suggested that thousands of children are being born with birth defects. A global toxic hotspot exists in the middle of the city, and it has contaminated the soil and groundwater for more than two lakh people.