Chronicle Reporter, Bhopal, The event ‘Run Bhopal Run’ to be held on December 2 has peeved various organizations working for Bhopal gas tragedy survivors. They said it is ironic that the date coincides with the anniversary of world’s worst industrial disaster.
A half marathon organised by the district administration coinciding with the 33rd anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy drew ire of the survivors of world’s one of the worst industrial disasters.Toxic gas leaked from the Union Carbide plant in the city on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984 had claimed several lives.
The representatives of gas organizations said when half the city is mourning deaths of more than 3000 people in Bhopal Gas Tragedy, how can another half celebrate through an annual half marathon –‘Run Bhopal Run.’ Have they forgotten the pain and trauma, which is still fresh in survivors’ mind even after 34 years. Survivors asked administration to change the route of the marathon.
Survivors said officials of the district administration ignored pain and agony thousands of Bhopal gas tragedy victims had undergone.
Organizing the event on same day is outrageous and like adding insult to injury, said Rachna Dhingra, representative of Bhopal Group for Information and Action.
Even last year the survivors had opposed
She pointed out that even last year the survivors had opposed by lying down in the path of the runners but the organizers haven’t learnt anything.
Last year also the survivors of the tragedy had organised a protest rally in the afternoon against what they said the apathy of the government and burnt an effigy of Dow Chemicals, which owns Union Carbide Corporation (UCC).
Star attraction of the half marathon event organized by a NGO in association with Bhopal Municipal Corporation are Bollywood actors Kareena Kapoor and Tiger Shroff.
Various organizations working for the welfare of gas victims had criticized the event and organizers even last year. They are opposed to the selection of the date that coincides with the anniversary of Bhopal gas tragedy which killed thousands.