The Group of Ministers (GoM) that re-examined the legal, human and environmental issues pertaining to the infamous gas leak tragedy at the Bhopal unit of Union Carbide Limited in December 1984, has put together a mix of recommendations shaped by the government’s humanism, pragmatism and extant political considerations. If the same decisions had been taken two decades ago, things would not have come to this pass. No single governmental functionary or business executive can be held responsible for the long and unfortunate delay in what is now being proposed to be done. Successive governments were not adequately sensitive to the cries of the victims and their survivors. Far too often did government officials and corporations take a legalistic view rather than a humane view, or indeed a political view. The political space vacated by mainstream political parties was filled by civil society activists who have kept the candle burning. A combination of circumstances, both domestic (like the insensitive comments of the minister for environment and forests about the toxicity of the premises) and external (like the US government’s response to the oil spill) ignited a new passion that forced the government to re-examine its earlier positions. Regrettably, however, a large part of the renewed public debate has been excessively politicised, with both the Congress party and the Bharatiya Janata Party seeking cheap political gains, and a lynch-mob mentality overtaking reasoned discourse on the options available today given the various legal and other developments over the past two decades.
The GoM should be complimented for sorting out issues and prioritising compensation. The government’s first and most important responsibility is to the victims of the disaster and their survivors. Their health and livelihood needs must be first addressed. Second, the government must ensure that the factory premises and surrounding areas are cleaned up and rid of any traces of toxicity. Both these are the equal responsibility of the state and the central government. Third, the government must get the corporate entity involved, Dow Chemicals under the circumstances, to accept its moral, if not legal, responsibility and share the financial burden of what is now proposed. The Congress-led UPA government at the Centre has shown its willingness to do something, the BJP government in the state must also do its job. Both parties owe it to the people to stop scoring cheap political points against each other. Finally, the government must re-examine the legal case against those responsible for the accident and close the case once and for all. The focus on the culpability of individuals like Keshub Mahindra and Warren Andersen has become excessively politicised. Too many causes, ranging from Luddite anti-industrialism to left-wing anti-Americanism, have sought to climb on the bandwagon of public anger against governmental and corporate insensitivity. The GoM’s reasoned and balanced statement has restored sanity to the debate. The government must now complete the task at hand, so that the people of Bhopal can get on with their lives and India can return to the business of building modern industries.
