BJP chief Nitin Gadkari today demanded that the Centre to takes up the issue of 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy with US President Barack Obama during his forthcoming visit to India.
“I call upon the Government to raise the issue of Bhopal Gas Tragedy with the US President during his visit to India.
Though the Prime Minister did not take it up during his last visit to the US, he will get another chance to do so this time,” Mr. Gadkari told reporters.
“The PM should take up the issue with full vigour and seek his cooperation in extradition of those responsible for the tragedy,” he said, adding or else the Opposition leaders during their courtesy meet will certainly raise the issue with the visiting dignitary.
Mr. Gadkari also demanded a “white paper” on the disaster.
Advocating for enhanced compensation to the tragedy victims, he said they must get at least Rs 5,000 crore so that the survivors are rehabilitated properly.
He said 26 years have passed since the tragedy, killing over 20,000 people and maiming other five lakhs, but till date no one has been held responsible for it.
Praising Madhya Pradesh Government for constituting a judicial commission to probe the circumstances in which those responsible for the tragedy were allowed to leave the country without any liability, Mr. Gadkari demanded that the truth behind the entire episode should be made public.
“Congress governments and its present leadership have to make public the deal, that was struck for the safe passage of then Union Carbide Corporation CEO Warren Anderson,” Mr. Gadkari demanded.
He alleged that senior Congress leader and then state chief minister Arjun Singh had played with people’s trust.
“It was expected from him that during the debate in the Rajya Sabha, he will answer many unanswerable questions, but he again played with their sentiments because of his political compulsions,” Mr. Gadkari said.
On his reported “monkey” remarks Mr. Gadkari said, “It is sad that I was misquoted in reports which appeared about the matter. I wish that the media sticks to faithfully reporting whatever I say.”
