Two survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy and an activist have ended their 12-day hunger strike by sipping juice near the Gandhi Statue in front of the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, amid a demonstration by non-resident Indians and American activists demanding justice.
Rashidabi, president of the Bhopal Gas-affected Women Stationery Workers Association, which is a member of the Global Day of Action against Corporate Crime, on Monday said, "Justice delayed is justice denied."
Her colleague, Champa Devi, described how she and her family were affected by the disaster. Joining them in the strike was Satinath Sarangi, representing the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal.
More than 200 people from 19 countries were carrying on the fast, they said.
Anil Chowdhry, Minister for Community Affairs, received the protestors at the embassy and promised to convey their demands to New Delhi.
The demands include trial of the prime accused, Warren Anderson, former chairman of Union Carbide and the representative of the company (Dow-Union Carbide) in the Bhopal criminal court, and healthcare facilities for the victims.
Speakers participating in the demonstration said the Indian government, in its anxiety to woo multinational firms, was not championing the cause of the victims.
Activists from Code Pink and Atomic, Chemical and Energy Workers Union, and Green Peace joined the demonstrators.