Obama’s 3-day visit to India a success — except for Bhopal

As President Obama was deliv- ering a major address before a joint session of parliament in New Delhi, India, about 250 survivors of the worst industrial disaster in history gathered outside to appeal for justice. It was a poignant moment in Obama’s three-day visit to India that has been hailed as a success. Indian government and business leaders were pleased with the various agreements reached, U.S, officials were more than satisfied, and India’s arch rival, Pakistan, was put on notice that the safe haven for terrorists inside the country are unacceptable.

But, for the thousands of victims of the poisonous gas that spewed into the atmosphere from U.S. chemical giant Union Carbide’s plant in Bhopal on Dec. 3, 1984, Obama’s visit simple served as a reminder of the injustice that continues to be visited upon them.

One of the protesters, Ghanshyam Ojha, 68, lost his son in the disaster.

“I have received only 50,000 rupees [$1,110] as compensation,” he told the Associated Press.

Another protester, Sushila Bir, 70, who lost her husband to the leak, said she has received no compensation.

The survivors outside parliament called on Obama to help extradite the former head of Union Carbide and pursue liability claims on behalf of the victims.

Toll estimates vary

In June, an Indian court convicted seven former employees of Union Carbide of “death by negligence” and sentenced them to two years in prison. Reaction throughout India was shock and anger. The death toll from the industrial disaster ranged from 800 claimed by Union Carbide, to at least 10,000 estimated by the Indian government. Bhopal activists have pegged the number at 20,000. People died over the years of gas-related illnesses, such as lung cancer and kidney and liver failure.

More than 600,000 Indians have become ill or have had babies born with congenital defects over the past two and half decades.

Adding to the anger and frustration of the victims is the fact that the Indian court made no mention of former Union Carbide Chief Executive Warren Anderson, who jumped bail and fled India after the disaster.

Although India maintains a warrant for his arrest, Anderson has remained in the United States a free man, with no attempt being made by the U.S. government to extradite him.

Danger of double standard

It seems hypocritical for President Obama to be talking about human rights and the dignity of all human beings when the U.S. is seen by many around the world to be embracing a double standard when it comes to the Bhopal disaster.

Placards with the admonition “Change this double standard” aimed at Obama should at least prompt a review of the case by the administration.

Michigan-based Dow Chemical, which took over Union Carbide, says it has no liability because it did not own the company at the time of the leak. Dow Chemical also contends that Union Carbide’s settlement payment resolved the legal case.

But what about the moral case? What about the lives of people who did not have much to start with?

If America is to stand as a beacon of justice and equality, it must demonstrate that the words spoken by President Obama during his visit to India do have meaning.