Dow's Bhopal legacy under scanner - An article in economic times.
I dont like the sound of that article. Have a very bad foreboding that the Indian government is all set to exonerate Dow chemicals of its legal liability towards Bhopal. I could be wrong though. I desperately wish I am. The article only says the government is about to a make a final decision on Dow's legal liability with respect to Bhopal. But having actively watched Indian politics for the past 10 years, I can't help but be cynical.
For those who dont know, Dow chemicals bought Union Carbide a few years ago. It was Union Carbides factory in Bhopal that killed more than 10000 people in Bhopal and seriously injured more than 100000 [1]. Dow chemicals maintains that it does not have legal liability to the past actions of Union Carbide. It will not pay for the killed and the injured of Bhopal. It will not take up the responsibility of cleaning up the site of the factory in Bhopal which to date leaks chemicals into the surroundings thereby badly polluting ground water. To add insult to injury, Dow chemicals spokesperson claims that $500 is plenty good for an Indian [2].
Despite all this, our leaders of business and politicians want to lick Dow's ass and throw the red carpet to them. It does not matter they are the murderers of more than 10000 of our brethren. They still want to bring in Dow. I dont have any adjectives to describe this.
I dont like the sound of that article. Have a very bad foreboding that the Indian government is all set to exonerate Dow chemicals of its legal liability towards Bhopal. I could be wrong though. I desperately wish I am. The article only says the government is about to a make a final decision on Dow's legal liability with respect to Bhopal. But having actively watched Indian politics for the past 10 years, I can't help but be cynical.
For those who dont know, Dow chemicals bought Union Carbide a few years ago. It was Union Carbides factory in Bhopal that killed more than 10000 people in Bhopal and seriously injured more than 100000 [1]. Dow chemicals maintains that it does not have legal liability to the past actions of Union Carbide. It will not pay for the killed and the injured of Bhopal. It will not take up the responsibility of cleaning up the site of the factory in Bhopal which to date leaks chemicals into the surroundings thereby badly polluting ground water. To add insult to injury, Dow chemicals spokesperson claims that $500 is plenty good for an Indian [2].
Despite all this, our leaders of business and politicians want to lick Dow's ass and throw the red carpet to them. It does not matter they are the murderers of more than 10000 of our brethren. They still want to bring in Dow. I dont have any adjectives to describe this.
Reference
[1] Cutting costs: At what cost to Bhopal residents - An article in Hindu Business line
[2] $500 is plenty good for an Indian - A pdf file that clearly demonstrates Dows contempt
[3] Bhopal Disaster: BBC - The Yes Men fooled BBC into airing this interview
[4] The Yes Men: Bhopal results - Interview with the fake person once BBC figured it
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