All-religion meet pays tribute to Bhopal gas tragedy victims

BHOPAL: On 37th anniversary of Bhopal Gas Tragedy, a tribute meeting at was held here on Friday. Several leaders from different faiths recited scriptures on the occasion. Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel participated in the all-religion meeting organised in the memory of those who lost their lives in the disaster.
Various religious leaders participated in the meeting.A two-minute silence was observed in the memory of the deceased. Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation minister Vishwas Sarang was also present on this occasion. The 'Sarva Dharma Prarthana Sabha' was held at Barkatullah Bhawan adjacent to Central library at 11.30 am in the presence of MP Governor. State government had declared December 3 - Friday - as a local holiday in the state capital.
Various NGOs working for the victims of the gas tragedy demanded better medical care, employment for gas victims' family and enhanced compensation. A 12-point demand letter for equitable compensation and rehabilitation of Bhopal gas victims and a five-point indent for free education and employment to the gas victims' family members was issued by Bhopal Gas Peedik Sangharsh Sahyog Samiti.
The NGO also organised a medical camp and distributed eye glasses to 150 gas victims. A street play based on the gas tragedy and the struggle of the victims captivated the audience present.
Supporters of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, Bhopal Group for Information and Action and Children Against Dow Carbide also marched for about 3km to the abandoned UCIL site. The are demanding the governments to fulfill their long-standing demands of compensation, justice, clean-up of toxic waste, punishment to the guilty, medical care and adequate social support.