Bhopal Tragedy activism and how it should be?

After the Bhopal verdict, the media was focusing on many things, conducting investigations, getting opinions from the experts and most importantly focusing on Anderson and extraditing Anderson. Every human being understands the sufferings of Bhopal victims and as humans we are all supposed to extend our hand in helping them to the extent possible.  Experts and noted personalities have raised so many issues on Bhopal tragedy pursuant to the verdict and those are like:

          1. Why Union Carbide is maintaining double standards when it comes to providing safety measures?

          2.  Why the victims are not permitted to proceed against United Carbide directly and as to why the Government has taken away their right and enter into settlement?

          3.  The cap on the liability of the producer in the proposed Nuclear Liability Bill?

          4.  America is maintaining double standards in the light of what has happened in the recent Oil Leak?

          5. So much emphasis is laid on extraditing Mr.Anderson?

It is being highlighted that United Carbide has maintained double standards when it comes to providing safety measures. It might be true and its a systematic failure and the failure continues even now. Barring the party lines, one should admit that there is so much corruption in the system and the politicians and the corrupt officials prompt the industrialists to violate law logically. Many officials many need bribe irrespective of the fact as whether one is right or wrong. This corrupt system prompts the business people to neglect the rules and regulations to some extent. Take an example of laying a road. The Quality Control Manager is supposed ensure that the road is laid as per the standards, but, many will demand bribe from the contractor for giving the required certificate and it is a additional burden to the contractor. The percentage goes to many officials. If the system is like this, why do these contractors and business people consider law seriously and they tend to violate law as a result of additional burden and all prompting. India is like this and we need change and change has just started. If our system is right in demanding the implementation of rules and regulations, then, there will be a fear and every one adheres to law.  Our corrupt system is the reason for double standards. We need to concentrate on the root cause. Our entire focus should be on changing the system and towards political reforms.  The statement that "Union Carbide is adopting double standards" may appear to be good to listen, but, we should understand the realities. Dr.Manmohan Singh government has mooted for disclosure of interest by the Ministers and he tried to minimize the abuse of power and position, but, we have seen the obstacles for this, but, we will definitely see lot of change in the coming days.

Many noted personalities have expressed opinion that the the victims should have been allowed to proceed directly against union carbide. I don't know as to how it helps the victims and many victims might not be in a position to continue the legal battle. I don't think that the victims want further litigation after the tragedy. What they want is remedy and had our noted personalities and eminent pressed for a fresh rehabilitation package that could have been very good. Unfortunately, our focus was not on the right direction. Had many raised their voice on rehabilitation measures, then, I am sure that the Bhopal victims could have received some positive signal from the Government and it could have bettered the lives of victims. Even without any demand, the Government was concentrating on providing better rehabilitation measures and it is been high-lightened in the reference to the GOM as I believe. 

We can say that "might is not right, and "right becomes might". But, internationally, many times, might become right. India is a energy deficit country and we need to have an urgent focus on our energy needs as otherwise, it will affect our progress.  Dr.Manmohan Singh government has focused on our energy needs and we are supposed to focus on Nuclear Energy.  We need to pass the Nuclear Liability Bill at any cost and in order to establish and continue our important Nuclear Trade with United States. Many have expressed concerns on the liability cap on the producers of the Nuclear material in the proposed bill and they oppose the bill on that ground. I don't understand the concerns logically. If the producer is not liable, then, the Government is ultimately liable and responsible to the citizens. As such, this argument from certain quarters is not sound at all.

The America's role in the world is complicated. Mr.Obama's reply to the Oil Gas Leak Case can not be considered while referring to extraditing Anderson. Mr.Anderson issue stands on a different footing and it is not right logically to say that America is maintaining double standards. It is very easy to make a statement, but, we should understand the realities. The relations with United States in the past are different from INDO-US relations today.

I don't understand as to why so much emphasis is laid only Mr.Anderson and efforts are being made to talk to the wife of Mr.Anderson as we see in Television Channels.  Every media channel wants some sensation and needs to maintain their ratings as it is their business.  Yes, media should have complete freedom and there should not be any limit on media freedom. At the same time, they should understand the impact of their focus among the minds of the people.  Bhopal Victims will not get anything if Mr.Anderson is extradited and punished for life.  In my opinion, the theory of punishment and the logic is to bring reformation in the accused. Mr.Anderson is old already though we can not say that the old aged can be exonerated. But, logically, Mr.Anderson's extradition is not an important issue for the Bhopal victims. Raising the issue of Mr.Anderson and laying complete focus on Mr.Anderson may further cause damage to the country, but, will not be useful to the victims of Bhopal tragedy.

How the focus should be?

I did not see so much focus on rehabilitation measures provided to the victims. Everybody wants sensation and they only focus on the issue of settlement agreed to between Government of India and United Carbide. If our activists and eminent can focus on Mr.Anderson, extradition, settlement, Nuclear Liability, I don't understand as to why there was no much focus on providing fresh relief to the victims and looking at their lives now. We are silent on this and even then, the Government is concentrating on the issue suo motu.

We don't need problems, further problems and sensations. What we need is result and the better future.

Everybody respects the activists of Bhopal and who has worked for Bhopal victims with the sole intention of helping the victims.

Note: views expressed are my personal.