NO More Bhopals!

November 27, 2009

JAN SANGARSH MORCHA (Madhya Pradesh)

On the 25th Anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Massacre
National Meet, Public Meeting and Rally at Bhopal

2nd December 2009: National Meet on “Destructive Industrialisation , Distorted Development”
3rd December 2009: Public Meeting, Rally
Venue: Yadgar-e-Shahjahani Park (opp Sultania ‘Ladies’ Hospital) Bhopal

25 years of Bhopal - Facts, Invitation, Programme

Dear Friends,

25 years ago, on the night of 2-3 December 1984, the terrible gas leak from the American multinational Union Carbide’s pesticide factory resulted, over the years, in the death of over 35,000 people and the chronic illness of over 3 lakh people, of whom over 1 lakh were permanently maimed. The victims continue to fight for proper compensation, rehabilitation, livelihoods, decontamination of soil and water and criminal action against those responsible. Their 25 year old struggle is a saga of pain and courage.

The 25th anniversary of this massacre is an occasion for us to once again seriously examine the factors that make such a massacre possible, and what lessons we have learnt (or not learnt) from it? How do we stop more ‘Bhopals’? What is the nature of the industrialization and development paradigm that make such violence possible, and are our governments not pushing us down a path that lead to many, many more Bhopals? Nuclear energy, SEZs, industrial agriculture, factories, mines, mega-dams, and the political economy of corporate loot are destroying the environment while lakhs of people are being robbed of their land, water and forests. The claim that the factories and mines will provide more employment is also proving to be a myth. It is clear that the State and global Imperialist forces are pushing an agenda that serves only their own vested interest.
In this context, we request you to join us in Bhopal on the 2nd December 2009 for a National Meet on “Destructive Industrialisation and Distorted Development”, and on 3rd December for a Rally and Public Meeting .

We request those who cannot come to Bhopal to organize events in their own areas to show Solidarity with the struggle of Bhopal victims and against Corporate crime.

We also request those who can, to help with financial contributions for the program.

Please inform us regarding your participation so that we can make arrangements.

Please circulate this appeal widely.

In solidarity,

Abdul Jabbar, Convener, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udhyog Sangathan (0755-2730241/274868, swabhimankandra@rediffmail.com)
Sunil, Samajwadi Jan Parishad (09425040452, sjpsunil@gmail.com )
Alok Agrawal, Narmada Bachao Andolan (09425928007, nbakhandwa@gmail.com)
Madhuri, Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sangathan (09425313918, madhuri.jads@gmail.com )
Anurag Modi, Shramik Adivasi Sangathan (09425041624, shramiks@gmail.com )