It took tremendous international pressure and a Supreme Court judgement to keep the decommissioned French aircraft carrier, Clemenceau, away from Alang, India's ship breaking yard. The reason? Its hazardous wastes could have cost the lives of Alang's workers.
A few months later, it seems like deja vu.
According to Greenpeace, Blue Lady, a 46,000-tonne ship formerly called the S S Norway, is heading for Alang from Malaysia, bringing with it more than 900 tons of asbestos and heavy metals. Bangladesh has already refused entry to the ship.
Greenpeace, which was instrumental in protests against Clemenceau, has accused the Indian government of callousness in the matter.
Do you think Greenpeace is correct in its accusation? Is the Indian government, indeed blind toward the safety of labour? Is enough being done to ensure India does not become a dumping ground of waste from other countries?
