What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: The Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984 remains one of the most devastating industrial disasters in history. On the night of December 2-3, 1984, a lethal gas leak occurred at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas escaped from the plant and exposed over 500,000 people to toxic fumes. The immediate death toll was estimated to be around 3,000, but subsequent deaths and long-term health effects raised the number to approximately 15,000.
The incident not only caused immense human suffering but also had significant political ramifications, particularly concerning the role of the Congress Party in the aftermath. Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India when this gas tragedy happened in Bhopal.
Here’s a detailed analysis of the Congress Party’s involvement and a timeline of key events…
Key Events and Political Implications:
Warren Anderson, the 63-year-old chairman and CEO of Union Carbide from where this gas was leaked. He arrived in Bhopal on December 7, 1984, four days after the gas leak was briefly arrested by Madhya Pradesh police and was released too and allowed to leave the country. This sequence of events has sparked much debate and criticism, with allegations pointing towards the then Congress-led government’s involvement in facilitating his escape. Arjun Singh, the then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and a senior Congress leader, claimed in his autobiography (“A Grain of Sand in the Hourglass of Time“) that he received instructions from the Union Home Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao to release Anderson.
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At the time, Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister, and his government was accused of not pursuing Anderson legally with sufficient vigour, possibly due to international pressure or to protect UCC’s interests. Critics argue that allowing Anderson to leave India was a political decision to mitigate the fallout from the disaster, especially with national elections looming. There were suggestions from various sources that the Congress government was keen on managing the crisis to prevent political damage.
Autobiography of Arjun Singh:
According to the autobiography of Arjun Singh, “Warren Anderson was expected to visit Bhopal soon. I decided to arrest him, believing he was responsible for the tragedy. While campaigning with Rajiv Gandhi, I received a message that Anderson would arrive on December 7.” So Arjun Singh sought permission to return to Bhopal from Rajiv Gandhi.
Upon arrival in Bhopal, he discussed the matter with the chief secretary of MP, Brahma Swaroop, who initially advised against allowing Anderson to come. However, it was too late. Arjun Singh instructed Bhopal’s District Magistrate, Moti Singh, and Superintendent of Police, Swaraj Puri, to arrest Anderson, Keshub Mahindra (non-executive Director of Union Carbide, India), and Vijay Gokhale (MD of Union Carbide, India) also Arjun Singh provide the written instructions due to the gravity of the case.
When Anderson arrived in Bhopal, SP Puri informed him of his arrest. Anderson was surprised and repeatedly asked why the CM wasn’t there to receive him and Puri explained that Anderson would be confined to a rest house under police custody.
Arjun Singh later rejoined Rajiv’s campaign and informed the PM about the arrest of Anderson.
“Later, I received a message from Brahma Swaroop that a top official from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had instructed us to grant Anderson bail and send him to New Delhi. I insisted that Anderson’s arrest be recorded.” Arjun Singh wrote in his autobiography.
Following orders from MP’s Congress CM Arjun Singh, Anderson was granted bail on a bond of Rs 25,000 and escorted to the airport. Singh personally ensured Anderson’s safe departure to Delhi, from where he fled India and never returned to face trial. This action has been widely condemned as a betrayal of justice, raising questions about who ultimately approved Anderson’s escape.
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“Rajiv never discussed the matter with me, but I later learned that the Union home secretary, R.D. Pradhan, had called Brahma Swaroop to ensure Anderson’s release” he added.
R.D. Pradhan refuted the claims, clarifying that he assumed office only in January 1985, weeks after Anderson had fled. Pradhan hinted that Singh might have been under “external pressure” from a powerful Italian lady, widely believed to be Sonia Gandhi.
Swaraj Puri stated that Anderson’s release was based on an oral order from higher authorities. The identity of these “higher-ups” was never officially disclosed, but growing evidence points to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi himself. Meanwhile, Moti Singh, the collector of Bhopal during the tragedy, revealed that Anderson had used the guest house landline to contact individuals in the US, possibly to coordinate his escape.
The Congress Party has been criticized for not ensuring that Anderson faced justice in India. The government’s handling of the case, including the settlement with UCC in 1989, was seen by many as inadequate, especially given the scale of human tragedy. The narrative that Anderson’s release was facilitated by the Congress government has persisted, with some posts on X emphasizing this perspective, highlighting perceived favoritism towards Anderson due to political influence or international relations.
While the exact role of the Congress Party in Anderson’s departure remains contentious, with different narratives from key figures involved, the overarching public perception has been that the party did not do enough to hold Anderson accountable. But then on the other hand, the Autobiography of that time CM Arjun Singh tells a lot about the Congress’s involvement in the release of Warren Anderson.
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy remains a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of industrial negligence and the complexities of political accountability. The Congress Party’s role in the aftermath, particularly concerning Warren Anderson’s release and the subsequent legal proceedings, continues to be a subject of intense scrutiny and debate. The incident has often resurfaced during election campaigns as a critique of Congress’s governance and handling of international corporate relations.
