First, it was the announcement of an additional 50 crores towards the compensation, which was the money already owed by the government to RBI to cover for the exchange rate fluctuation. Now it is the provision of clean drinking water that Supreme Court had already decreed in May of 2004.
It just gets to show how opportunistic the politicians are.
Particularly to notice here is that the announcement came 2 days before the visit by a 10 member fact finding team led by the Sect of Ministry of Chemicals (MOC), Ms Satwant Reddy. This visit is being done in response to our meeting with the Ministry on March 29th. So the compensation money and the clean water announcements are just trying to play the media and public perception by 'seemingly' giving in to the Bhopali demands. In any case, if past record is to be considered, Gaur is the last person to keep his promises. So we received the news with, as Nity put it, 'cautious optimism', until we actually see a written statement or an official release from the Ministry or the MP government. A few Bhopalis will temporarily return tomorrow to assist the MOC fact finding team on issues of clean water and people's participation in instituting a memorial.
Josh is continuing the fast and losing weight alarmingly. Bridgette also joined the fast yesterday. The health of Champa Didi and Rachna is deteriorating quickly. Especially, Champa didi's health has become a real cause of concern. We are keeping a close watch. Rest are on a diet of pure will now. Almost everyday we have representations from various groups to sit on a solidarity fast. Yesterday, two members from National Conference for Dalit Organizations (NACOR) fasted, and today, 6 members from All India Federation of Trade Unions fasted for the entire day. A delegation of 11 also arrived from Cuddalore and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. They are also victims of corporate crime and industrial pollution.
On the 18th, we have an all India call for joint action with people from Narmada. On the 19th in Bhopal, we will set the record straight for clear violation of the Supreme Court order in Bhopal for not providing clean water. There will be a photo exhibition taken to all parts of the city on a padyatra by members of the affected community. On the 20th, 5-15 children are arriving from Bhopal. They belong to a group of 70 children who have been documented with birth defects and growth abnormalities caused by the gas exposure to parents, or by drinking the contaminated water. For instance, Shahida Bee mentioned today that her grandson was still born and was missing a large fraction of his posterior skull. On the day, we will also have a press briefing with parents of these children to underline the issues of clean water and criminal liability. In the briefing, two eminent doctors - Dr. Daya Verma (McGill University) and Dr. S. Sriramachari (Former Additional Director of ICMR) - will also be present. Both have studied long term effects of MIC on children. After the briefing we have school children from 10 schools in Delhi coming to express unity with children of Bhopal. We will have props and paintings done in form of the factory and demands, to communicate the issues to the children in a visual and tactile manner.
In the USA, we are encouraging to continue vigils on the 18th to mark the one week of the hunger fast. On the 21/22 hold coordinated 48 hour fast as we are targeting these days for a big push here in Delhi that week.
Contact key people and send a media advisory for these two days, especially in NY and DC. On the 24th, please try to meet Rick Hind of Greenpeace in the DC office to seek support. Details to follow. Keep sending pictures and write-ups. They have been a great morale booster for the Bhopalis and also a real surprise for the media, not to mention the PM who had to hire 2 extra people to just keep the feeding paper to his fax machine!
We will hear from the Prime Minister's office tomorrow (Monday) morning for an appointment the same day. However, his volte face on Narmada issue today has set a negative tone already. However, we must and we will keep pushing.
To quote a favourite poet Nida Fazli - "safar mein dhuup to hogi jo chal sako to chalo, sabhi hain bheed mein tum bhi nikal sako to chalo." Translation cannot do justice, but here goes. "The journey is long and arduous, can you muster the courage to keep walking, there are thousands already walking against you, can you still find space to reach your destination..."
Keep the faith,
Nishant
