Satyagraha on the Move: 7 July 2002
Day 9 of the Hunger Strike for Justice in Bhopal

As they entered the 9th day of their hunger strike, the hunger strikers continue to lose weight. Tara
Bai, a gas victim, is required to be under close observation because of her blood sugar levels had
dropped to 38 yesterday. Rasheeda Bee, also a gas victim prone to long-lasting headaches and anxiety
attacks, has also registered a substantial increase in blood pressure. Sathyu is doing better under the
circumstances. However, hopes and spirits remain high. Survivors from Bhopal, at least 50 of whom, are
constantly present at the site of the protest keep the moods up by singing songs and chanting slogans.

Support is growing from various quarters against the Government’s insensitivity and refusal to
acknowledge the legitimate demands of the Bhopal survivors.

Notably, the Congress President Sonia Gandhi has assured the survivors that Congress will raise the
issue in the parliament during the forthcoming session. CPI, CPI (M) and CPI (ML) have also committed
their support. Meanwhile, the entire country seems enthralled by the death of Indian industrialist
Dhirubhai Ambani (of Reliance Industries).

A strongly worded memorandum was delivered to the Prime Minister’s Office indicting the Government of
selling out to multinational interests and substantiating the claims in a well-argued document. Those of
you who would like a copy of this document may write to  nity68@vsnl.com or  admin@del3.vsnl.net.in with
the subject: PM’s Bhopal Memo.

The press conference held at the Dharna site on July 7 was well attended, and was rounded off by a
moving street play by youth from Jana Natya Manch, a progressive street theatre group highlighting
current political and social issues. One group of Bhopal survivors and some leaders have returned to
Bhopal to mobilise people for a rally on the 15th July to coincide with the lead up to the opening of
the parliament session.

On 8 July at 4 p.m., the Chairperson of NHRC Justice (retd) Verma has invited the survivors for a
meeting. Subsequently. a complaint will be delivered to the Secretary of the NHRC regarding the human
rights violations implicit in the Government’s handling of the Bhopal gas disaster and the survivors of
the same.

Preparations are afoot for the rally on 10 July, and supporters from United States and United Kingdom
are planning solidarity activities on that day in their respective countries.

If you are in Washington D.C. or London and would like to participate in these solidarity activities,
kindly contact:
Washington D.C.: Neil Tangri (Essential Action):  ntangri@essential.org
London: Tim Edwards (Lifecycle):  tim@lifecycle.demon.co.uk

Solidarity activities are also being planned for the 10th and 15th in Bangalore, Chennai,
Thiruvananthapuram, Bhopal and Mumbai. If you’re in any of these cities and would like to participate in
any manner, kindly contact the following people:
1. Bangalore: David Selvaraj (Visthar) 080 8465295 or 8465294
2. Chennai:  nity68@vsnl.com (9840098935. C/o Karen)
3. Thiruvananthapuram. A.J. Vijayan: 0471 505506 or Thanal: 0471 311896
4. Mumbai: Vinod Shetty: 6514211 or 6458411
Gautum Modi: 6476580/6473425 or 9811153254

If you’re from one of the other cities and would like to organise a solidarity activity, kindly notify
us with details about yourself and the nature of activity planned.
For the National Campaign for Justice in Bhopal
E. Deenadayalan & Nityanand Jayaraman
 nity68@vsnl.com
 admin@del3.vsnl.net.in