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June 30, 2008
Finance Minister confronted in Madurai
Rupesh Kumar reports from Madurai...
Day 1, 28th June 2008.
A group of 6 went visiting the Finance minister at his M. P. office in Karaikudi. Earlier, we were supposed to have a demonstration outside his office in the headquarters of his Lok Sabha constituency in Sivagangai. But we learnt that he works out of his office in Karaikudi, a nearby town and his native place. We had learnt about his visit to Karaikudi just an evening before. We reached Karaikudi by 11.30 and reached his office by 13.00 after waiting for a few more friends to join us as their bus was delayed at Madurai.
By around 13.00, 7 of us walked into the MPs office and enquired about his availability throughout the day and we were informed that he is busy opening a series of banks ( which he does once a month at his constituency, development of a small town i suppose) in the surrounding areas and will be free only between 8 PM and will meet people only from 6 Am to 8 Am the next morning. On his itinerary, we noticed that he was leaving for Delhi from Madurai by air and decided to confront him at the airport.
Day 2, 29th June 2008.
Eight of us assembled at a library near the airport. We had earlier received confirmation about the FM leaving home and reaching here by around 13.45. So we decided to be at the airport by 13.25 and started walking towards the airport, a 2 Km walk from the library.
Madurai Airport has two lobbies, one for arrival and the other departure. No one is allowed inside the departure lounge without a valid ticket or authorisation. Right outside the departure lobby, we noticed a large crowd of party cadre waiting for his arrival. Karuna (an NBA activist and researcher from Madurai) and I were the first to reach the lobby. Just as we reached the lobby, we noticed a convoy of cars entering the airport and knew it was the Finance Minister. We took out our petition and ran towards the car. Karuna is fair skinned, and was able to reach his car without any objection from his hangers-on. On seeing her and hearing her seek his attention, Chidambaram immediately turned around curiously. By this time, our other friends had also reached the car. Karuna handed over the petition and said that the Bhopalis have been in Delhi for more than 110 days, and urged him to do something about it. He was momentarily shaken.
Clearly, the last thing he expected from a motley bunch such as us, in such an unlikely place as the Madurai airport, was a word about Bhopal. He took the petition and walked away without saying a word to the main lobby, where he stopped again to address his party men.
Posted by tim at 11:50 AM | Comments (0)
June 29, 2008
An Eater's Guide to Fasting
Pragya Bhagat writes from Austin, Texas...
June 28, 2008
The first few hours aren't hard. I just imagine that I skipped breakfast…and lunch. It's after half the day has passed that the first gnawing pangs of hunger scrimmage through my stomach, searching for a morsel of food. I wash the desire away with a glassful of water, something that every faster should do ever so frequently. The water temporarily fills me up.
As the day continues, my mind is constantly battling itself. On one side of the battlefield, the scrunching of a newspaper is interpreted as food unwrapping and every smell becomes oh-so-tantalizing. On the other side, I keep telling myself – this is nothing. The Bhopalis are on their 19th day of fasting. If they can do this for more than two weeks, I can do it for a day.
It becomes easier when a few of us gather at the corner of 24th and Guadalupe to collect signatures for the fax campaign directed at Manmohan Singh. There are nine of us, ranging from eight year old Stefanie to 52 year old Jogendra. Spread out on the high people-traffic area known as The Drag, we approach hundreds of individuals over a two hour span. Most of the shoppers on this fine Texas afternoon quickly hustle by us, many read the "I am fasting for justice in Bhopal" speech bubbles taped to our shirts, and some even stop by to talk to us about how they can help.
We try many approaches to increase the number of interested passer-by. Some work better than others.
"Do you have a second to sign a petition?"
"Do you have a minute to talk about corporate responsibility?"
"Yes, I am fasting in support with the Bhopal survivors in India."
Eye contact. If they slow down, they are more likely to listen. Look for desis.
Two hours fly by and we have run out of our three hundred fliers. The nine of us have collected more than one hundred and thirty signatures. Despite the constant presence of the unforgiving sun, we make it through. I break my twenty-four hour fast with a raisin, having gained a previously unrealized appreciation for those seven hundred plus individuals who are also participating in the Global Relay Fast. I can't even fathom what nineteen days of fasting must be like, and what sort of self-discipline one must need in order to smile every morning instead of mentally complaining like I did for the beginning of the day.
What has this experience taught me? The fierce seven who are fasting indefinitely have put their lives on stake for the communities that were poisoned twenty-three years ago. These communities can not and should not struggle aloe; we must help in whatever capacity we can to ensure that corporate crime does not go unpunished. Food should not be taken for granted, and water has just become my new best friend. I encourage all of you to support the Bhopalis' struggle for justice by participating in the Global Relay Hunger Fast. It is definitely an experience you will never forget.
Posted by tim at 10:22 PM | Comments (0)
June 22, 2008
Candlelight vigil for Bhopal gas victims
Solidarity: Members of International Campaign for Justice, along with students and supporters of Bhopal gas victims, taking part in the candlelight vigil on M.G. Road in Bangalore on Saturday. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar
Bangalore: Expressing solidarity with the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984, members of the Janaarogya Andolana Karnataka held a candlelight vigil in the city on Saturday.
Several students and members of various social organisations and Dalit groups, who were part of the protest, read out poems on the Bhopal tragedy.
Actor Shivaram, who joined the protest, said justice was delayed in this case only because of the Government’s apathy.
Victims and supporters of the Bhopal tragedy have been struggling for justice for more than 23 years.
Early this year, the victims marched from Bhopal to Delhi.
They are holding a dharna, which has entered its fifth month now. They have started an indefinite hunger strike from June 10.
“It is unfortunate that the victims’ legitimate demands of an empowered commission for Bhopal and legal action against the perpetrators of crime has been met only with arrests and police brutality, backed by an insensitive Government,” the organisers said.
The candlelight vigil was coordinated by the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal and Janaarogya Andolana Karnataka.
Posted by tim at 05:21 PM | Comments (0)
June 19, 2008
Chennai fasts in solidarity with the Bhopal hunger strikers
Chennai, 17th June, 10am to 4 pm
Supporters from Chennai joined the Global Hunger Strike Relay today, in solidarity with the nine Bhopalis who are on an indefinite hunger fast in Delhi. Students from various colleges, unorganized workers unions, fishermen associations, traders association, women's and gender rights movements joined the hunger strike.
Shweta Narayan, who is on her 8th day of hunger fast, joined the dharna braving the heat of Chennai. 150 members including Kirtana, a 5 year old girl sat through the day singing songs of oppression and struggle and sloganeering against the government's apathy. The protestors demanded that the central government fulfill the just demands of the Bhopal survivors, which included an empowered commission for implementing rehabilitation schemes for the affected people as well as taking legal action against DOW chemicals.
Ms. Chandra from Tamilnadu women's collective spoke fervently about the callousness of the state, questioning time and again the legitimacy of a government that fails to stand by its people. She also referred to numerous issues in Tamilnadu, where the state government has acted with the same apathy. Extending her solidarity with the Bhopal survivors, she called for a long and sustained struggle for justice. Pughazhendi, a film director who has been consistently supporting the Bhopal cause, said that there was a danger of other Bhopals if we are not careful and take preventive action. Talking about the nuclear power plant in Kalpakkam, he said "we (residents of Chennai) are sitting close to a nuclear time bomb and the government has never even informed us about the danger". He added that justice for Bhopal was justice for all the people of this country. Tha. Vellaiyan, president of the Tamilnadu Small Traders Association, extended his full support to the Bhopal gas survivors and assured that they would whole heartedly participate in the struggle to bring a guilty corporation to justice. Student leader Balasubramaniam said "leaders like P. Chidambaram who has no support among the people will only act for the good of companies even if it means betraying the people of the country." He extended the support of the student community to the campaign against DOW and other criminal corporations.
Representatives of various political parties also joined the hunger strikers to extend their solidarity with the cause. Com. A.M. Gopu, national council member of CPI, while addressing the gathering said that his party has always stood beside the Bhopal survivors. He also said that they were updated about what was happening in Delhi and have expressed their disappointment to the PM. "We fully understand your demands and are in full support of them, we extend our whole hearted support to your struggle." Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (Dalit Panthers of India) MLA, Mr. Ravikumar and AIADMK MLA, S.Ve Sekhar also joined the hunger fast. Poetess Thamizhachi visited the dharna stal to enquire about the health of Shweta Narayan and to show her solidarity with the people of Bhopal.
The Statement to the Prime Minister was endorsed by Tamilnadu Womens Collective, Kanchi Makkal Mandram, Coastal Peoples Protection Movement, Tamilnadu Manual Workers Union, Tamilnadu Fisherpeople Progressive Organization, Chennai Metro Workers Union, PUCL T.N and Puducherry, South India Fishermen's Welfare Association, Penn Thozhilalar Sangam (Women Workers Union), WCCD Trust, Penn Urimai Iyyakam (Women Rights Movements), Unorganized Workers Federation, Community Environmental Monitoring, Tamilnadu Traders Association, Corporate Accountability Desk and The Other Media.
Mr. Vijaya. T. Rajendar, founder president of Illatchiya Dravida Munnetra Khazhagam, offered juice to the hunger strikers to conclude the one day fast. Shweta Narayan has decided to continue her fast. Before the end of the fast, the protestors also passed resolutions seeking high level probe into the death of Lalit Mehta and seeking the release of Dr. Binayak Sen.
Shweta Narayan (right)
Posted by tim at 04:46 PM | Comments (0)
June 17, 2008
Dharna in Pune supports the hunger strikers
Puneites in dharna in Solidarity with the Bhopalis
June 16 , 4-7 pm,
Tilkak Putla, Mandai, Pune
A Pune supporter writes...
Please find attached photographs of the dharna (sit-in) for solidarity with Bhopal, organized today at Tilak Statue, Mandai in Pune.
We did a "GhanTaa-Naad (Bell-ringing) aandolan" along with the sit-in.
Activists from Lokayat, Pune Ma.Na.Paa. Kaamgaar Union, Shramik Mahilaa Morchaa and Sathi-Cehat joined in the sit-in. Lot of citizens from the passers-by also chose to sit along with us after hearing about the atrocities of the government.
Attached is an email that we had circulated for participation in this protest.
Wishing that the sound of the bells that we rang will help open the deaf ears of the Government,
In Solidarity,
Abhijit K
Lokayat, Pune
+91 9422308125
Email to supporters:
23 long years on the path to justice!
You are all probably that the Bhopal gas survivors took out a padyatra from Bhopal to Delhi in Feb-Mar this year to press for their demands. Despite the long march, the PM refused to meet them, and the Bhopalis then sat down on a dharna at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Despite 77 days of the Dharna, the Prime Minister is yet to meet the people of Bhopal and their demands. They have tried all possible means from silent peaceful protests to street theatre to demonstrations and even 'chaining themselves up', to try and convince the PM to meet them. Activists of Delhi have held their hands in support. Even some Ministers, a few Members of Parliament and eminent people from the city have assured them of their support and promised them justice. But such is the clout of Dow Chemicals over the Prime Minister Office that the PM has only given vague assurances of meeting the demands of the Bhopalis. Considering the behaviour of the Indian government for the past 23 years, it is obvious that nothing will be done.
On 9 June, 33 people, women, children and men, who were staging a peaceful protest in front of the PMs Office were arrested, whipped with belts, the women strip-searched and their clothes torn, and then jailed. Rather than meet their demands promptly, the Government has ignored their march from Bhopal to Delhi, met their 2 month-long dharna with empty promises, and dealt with their non-violent protests with beatings and jailing. The attitude of the authorities clearly shows that they "want to teach the protestors a lesson." It seems to be a coordinated effort to discourage democratic protest.
Since 10 June, nine activists, including gas survivors are on an indefinite hunger strike seeking justice. Three of the activists on indefinite hunger strike have begun their fast in jail. They demand: An Empowered Commission on Bhopal by endorsing the bill proposed by survivors organizations and committing to introducing it in the Parliament in the monsoon session; committing the funds required to allow the Commission to function for 30 years for medical, economic, social and environmental rehabilitation, and Immediate legal action against Dow Chemical and Union Carbide.
Supporters from different parts of the world, including Booker Prize nominated author Indra Sinha, are on a fast in support of the Bhopalis.
It has been 23 years of waiting, the Bhopalis refuse to be led on with false promises anymore.
Come and join, let us raise our voice in solidarity with the Bhopalis.
DHARNA IN PUNE IN SUPPORT OF THE HEROIC BHOPALIS
Posted by tim at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)
June 13, 2008
SOLIDARITY HUNGER FAST IN SAN FRANCISCO AT INDIAN CONSULATE TO SUPPORT BHOPAL GAS SURVIVORS
Activists in San Francisco join International Hunger Fast Relay to support Bhopal gas disaster survivors who are on indefinite fast in New Delhi.
13 June, 2008
San Francisco, CA: Activists in San Francisco joined the Global Hunger Strike Relay today by having a public fasting event at the Indian Consulate at 540 Arguello Blvd. The event was a protest with chants and great visuals by a diverse group of supporters of the survivors of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Disaster. The protesters included four people who will be fasting for the entire day. A delegation from the group also had a meeting with the Consul Community Affairs.
Local activists have joined the Global Relay, which is being supported by hundreds of activists in many countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada and India. Actions are being planned in cities across the North America, from Boston to Toronto to San Francisco.
Activists participating in the Global Relay are in solidarity with the nine activists, including supporters and survivors of the ongoing disasters in Bhopal, who began an indefinite fast Tuesday in Delhi. Author Indra Sinha, a 2007 Booker Prize finalist, has joined the indefinite fast from his home in France. The brave yet perilous decision to begin an indefinite fast has been undertaken only after numerous unsuccessful attempts to focus the attention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh toward the grave situation in Bhopal.
“We extend unwavering support to the survivors who are bravely standing up to the oppressive force of India’s government,” said Shana Ortman, the US Coordinator for the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal, who also helped organize today’s event. “These global actions display tremendous unity toward the common end of justice in Bhopal.”
Survivors are demanding the establishment of a special commission to deal with the issues that still plague the people of Bhopal. They are also demanding that the Prime Minister hold Dow Chemical legally liable, following Dow’s purchase of the initial disaster offender, Union Carbide, in 2001. Though survivors have gained support from many influential lawmakers, as well as the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the Prime Minister Singh has not budged from his ongoing support of this rogue chemical company.
Nearly half a million people were exposed to poisonous methyl isocyanate during a runaway chemical reaction at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal on December 3rd, 1984. Since then, more than 22,000 people have died and 150,000 survivors continue to be chronically ill, as the Indian government and Dow have repeatedly failed to address their liabilities in the atrocities of the world’s worst industrial disaster.
Posted by tim at 06:05 PM | Comments (0)
June 12, 2008
Human chain Condemns Delhi Police Violence Against Bhopali Kids
Chennai, June 12, 2008
Unlike other days, Chennai weather was pretty favorable for those of us who prepared for the human chain in the evening, which would condemn the Delhi Police violence against peaceful Bhopali protestors.
Shweta, in 3 day of her hunger fast, was tirelessly writing placards of slogans like "shame shame, Delhi police", "Do Justice, Not Violence", "Beating Bhopali kids, act of Cowardice" and some more in tamizh and English with other young volunteers.
A young supporter signs the banner
By around 5 in the evening nearly 80 of us gathered at Elliots Beach, the venue for the human chain.
The supporters including, 20 kids from Olcott memorial School, 6 kids from Vidyasagar school for the differently abled, other friends and youngest supporter, less than two year old Madhura, with bright red bandana stood in a row facing the road demanding "Justice for Bhopal and the kids who were beaten up by wicked Delhi Police".
Differently abled children from Vidyasagar School, Chennai
After remembering the reason behind the human chain with pain and anger, supporters were informed about the solidarity hunger fast. Four kids (Parthasarathy 16, Amalraj 15, Murugan 16 and Rajkumari 15) from Olcott memorial school volunteered to express solidarity with the Bhopalis by going on hunger strike for a day.
Our human chain came to an end with young volunteers Ciddharth Hande and couple of others singing "Blowing in the Wind" and with the powerful lyrics echoing in our minds we left the place.
"How many ears must one man have
before he can hear people cry?
How many deaths will it take till he knows
that too many people have died?"
Bob Dylan, Blowin' in the wind
Jeny Dolly, Chennai Volunteer
Posted by tim at 05:47 PM | Comments (0)
June 09, 2008
SURVIVORS - INCLUDING CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 6 - BEATEN UP IN POLICE STATION
AXN ALERT
9 JUNE 2008. 6.30pm GMT.
Plainclothes policemen and women and some uniformed police today beat up Bhopal survivors and their children inside the parliament street police station. 16 year old Imran was belted by policemen, including Yad Ram, a uniformed policeman from the Parliament Street police station. The belting has hurt his eye, and he has been taken to the hospital. Other policepersons whose names are known include Suraj Bhan, Mallik (a tall, big-set cop), Mahendra (in plainclothes), and
the gun-toting Yad Ram. 27-year old Vikas was set upon by 13 policemen. Irshad, 20, was also beaten up badly. The police did not spare the kids. The youngest padayatri, 11-year old Yasmin, 6-year old Nagma, and 24-year old Meera More were also beaten by the police when they tried to prevent the police from dragging Rachna Dhingra, a padayatri, into the lock-up. Seeing the girls come in aid of Rachna, Plainclothesman Mahendra Singh screamed: "In Kaaliyon ke kapde fado." (Tear the clothes off these blackies).
All the while, the older women were forced into police lock-up.
Since the time that they were picked up from the Prime Minister's Office for demonstrating in a high-security area, senior police officials have talked tough. Callers who spoke to Mr. Nand Mohan, Deputy Commissioner of Police said the top cop said the Bhopalis will have to face the consequences this time. The Prime Minister's silence on the matter of demands has prompted the Bhopalis to protest in front of his house two times.
Mr. Muthukumaran, Director of Public Relations, Prime Minister's Office did not know that Bhopalis were being beaten up at the parliament street police station for a mistake of his boss, the Prime
Minister. However, when intimated about it, he said: "I have heard about it. It is shameful. I have informed the authorities, and we'll see what can be done."
This is not a matter about a few angry policemen. The policemen had nothing to be angry about the Bhopalis. The rot spreads far higher.
With nine Bhopalis, including two women (Rachna and Meera) who are to go on a hunger strike tomorrow, please begin a neend udao.
Call the below people, and demand that a full-blown enquiry is conducted affixing responsibility for today's deplorable incident :
Deputy Commissioner of Police Nand Mohan: +91 9818099041
Assistant Commissioner of Police Gurdeep Singh: +91 981033880
SHO Avinash Diwedi +91 9810046832
Muthukumaran. Director, Public Relations, PMO: +91 9871990019
Posted by tim at 06:52 PM | Comments (0)