Survivors of Bhopal Gas Tragedy on U.S. Tour to Raise Awareness Before 40th Anniversary

Survivors of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, regarded as the world’s worst industrial disaster, are currently touring the United States. This 17-stop speaking tour, organized by the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal (ICJB), seeks to raise awareness about the ongoing impacts of the disaster as the 40th anniversary approaches on December 3. The tour, which began earlier this year, is scheduled to conclude on September 25. Survivors are sharing their experiences and participating in discussions with environmental justice leaders, students, academics, and members of various frontline communities across the U.S.

These events, organized in collaboration with environmental justice organizations in communities primarily composed of Black and Brown people, include discussions followed by question-and-answer sessions with survivors. The tour serves not only as an educational initiative but also as a call to action for communities in the U.S. and beyond to understand the long-term consequences of industrial disasters.

The ICJB, in addition to organizing the tour, is lobbying U.S. lawmakers to designate December 3 as Chemical Disaster Awareness Day, hoping to further increase recognition of the ongoing struggles faced by Bhopal survivors. They are also working with local organizations to mark December 1-7 as a Week of Solidarity with Bhopal. This initiative seeks to draw attention to the enduring environmental and health challenges faced by survivors, as well as the broader implications for global environmental health policies.

The 1984 Disaster and Its Aftermath

On the night of December 2-3, 1984, a gas leak at the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, India, resulted in a catastrophic release of toxic chemicals, primarily methyl isocyanate, into the atmosphere. This disaster exposed hundreds of thousands of people to lethal chemicals, causing immediate deaths and long-term health problems for those who survived. The gas leak led to widespread contamination of Bhopal’s groundwater, leaving lasting effects on the local population.

Since the tragedy, over 20,000 people have died due to chemical exposure, and the disaster has left more than 500,000 people suffering from chronic health conditions. Many survivors continue to endure generational birth defects and face the consequences of ongoing groundwater contamination. Even four decades later, the community remains impacted by both environmental degradation and health challenges.

Despite the magnitude of the disaster, no Union Carbide officials have been held criminally responsible. The company, which was eventually acquired by Dow Chemical, has faced criticism for its handling of the aftermath. While compensation was provided to some victims and families, many argue that it was insufficient given the scope of the disaster and the long-term damage caused to the community. Additionally, calls for a proper clean-up of the affected areas in Bhopal have been largely ignored by Dow Chemical.

Last October, a significant moment occurred when a representative from Dow Chemical appeared in a Bhopal court for the first time after two decades of evasion. However, the company rejected the court’s jurisdiction, stating that it held no responsibility for paying for the clean-up of Bhopal. This refusal has further fueled the frustration of survivors and advocates who have been demanding justice for nearly 40 years.

Raising Awareness in the U.S.

ICJB’s current tour is part of a broader effort to keep the global community informed about the ongoing crisis in Bhopal. Since Dow Chemical is headquartered in the United States, the organization hopes to draw attention to the responsibilities that the company has yet to fulfill. The goal is to increase awareness of the plight of survivors and rekindle solidarity with the Bhopal community.

“The Bhopal gas disaster had significant consequences for environmental health policy in the U.S. and across the world. However, survivors continue fighting for justice,” said an official release from ICJB. The release highlights the significant impact the disaster had on shaping global environmental policies, even as survivors themselves remain caught in a battle for accountability.

For decades, Bhopal survivors have been advocating for a comprehensive clean-up of the affected areas and for full accountability from those responsible. While the U.S. and other countries introduced stricter environmental regulations in the wake of the Bhopal disaster, the victims in India continue to grapple with the devastating consequences. ICJB is hopeful that this speaking tour will bring attention to these ongoing struggles, particularly as the 40th anniversary of the disaster nears.

The Role of ICJB and the Push for Justice

The International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal (ICJB) is a coalition that brings together survivors of the Bhopal disaster, international volunteers, and environmental, social justice, and human rights organizations. ICJB’s efforts focus on holding both the Indian government and Dow Chemical accountable for the long-standing chemical contamination in Bhopal. The coalition employs nonviolent direct action, grassroots organizing, and educational outreach to bring attention to the disaster and its aftermath.

Several Bhopal survivor organizations, which form the core of ICJB, are based in India, but they work closely with international partners in countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. This collaboration strengthens their advocacy efforts on a global scale, emphasizing the international responsibility that Dow Chemical and others hold in addressing the consequences of the Bhopal disaster.

ICJB’s push for designating December 3 as Chemical Disaster Awareness Day is part of a larger strategy to ensure that industrial accidents like Bhopal are never forgotten. In addition to raising awareness, this initiative also aims to ensure that policymakers and industry leaders take steps to prevent similar disasters in the future. The Week of Solidarity with Bhopal, scheduled for December 1-7, is another way that ICJB is calling for international support and engagement with the ongoing crisis.

As the 40th anniversary of the disaster approaches, the survivors’ tour and ICJB’s advocacy work serve as stark reminders of the unfinished business of justice in Bhopal. While many people around the world are familiar with the immediate impacts of the disaster, fewer are aware of the long-term health and environmental issues that continue to affect the community. By bringing survivors’ voices to the forefront, ICJB hopes to galvanize action and remind the world that the fight for justice is far from over.

The survivors of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, through their U.S. speaking tour, are highlighting the ongoing impacts of the disaster ahead of its 40th anniversary. Despite decades of advocacy, justice for the victims of the world’s worst industrial disaster remains elusive. ICJB’s efforts, including meetings with lawmakers and collaboration with U.S. environmental justice groups, aim to raise awareness about the continued environmental and health challenges faced by the survivors. As the anniversary draws near, the fight for accountability and proper clean-up of the affected areas remains urgent.