Marking the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy, supporters of the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal launched a caravan called “Bhopal Blues on Wheels: Capturing 25 years” here on Tuesday.
Over the next two days the caravan will travel to educational institutions and public locations across the Capital. After reaching out to the youth and students, it will culminate its journey at Jantar Mantar on December 3.
“At Jantar Mantar we will have a ‘Die in Action for Bhopal’ programme to remind people of the tragic night which took a toll of thousands of lives. The count is increasing till this day. The road to justice even after 25 years looks long,” said Javed Naqi of ICJB.
Sixteen-year-old Safreen Khan, the youngest member of the team of 50 survivors who walked 500 miles from Bhopal to Delhi last year to meet the Prime Minister and also the key of “Children Against Dow-Carbide”, is here as part of the journey to talk about his experiences to students so that they get to see, hear and possibly feel the effect.
“Bhopal Blues on Wheels” will capture the essence of 25 years of suffering, injustice and struggle of the people of Bhopal and their supporters in a mobile photo exhibition. “Through the initiative we also aim to inspire the young brigade to respond to the appeal to be signatory to the pledge saying “We won’t work for Dow”,” said Mr. Naqi.
“Our purpose is to educate young people about how they can contribute to this cause in their own individual way as also to spread the message that this fight is larger than just Bhopal. It also focuses on raising our voices against the irresponsibility of big corporate houses towards people and the environment. We need to take action now to prevent more such Bhopals from happening in future apart from raising the cry for justice for the people of Bhopal,’’ Mr. Naqi added.
Keywords: Bhopal gas tragedy, International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal, Jantar Mantar, Union Carbide
