Mon Jan 27 06:34:03 UTC 2025: ## Bhopal Gas Tragedy Waste Disposal Sparks Protests in Madhya Pradesh

**Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, January 27, 2025** – A four-kilometer-long torch rally was held on Sunday in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, protesting the disposal of 358 tonnes of toxic waste from the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. The waste, originating from the defunct Union Carbide factory, arrived in Pithampur on January 3rd and is currently stored at a Ramky Group facility.

Residents and several organizations are vehemently opposing the disposal, citing concerns about environmental and health risks. Hemant Hirole of the Pithampur Bachao Samiti stated that the protests, which began on January 3rd, will escalate to an indefinite fast and a mahapanchayat if the administration continues its awareness campaign, which protesters view as misleading.

MLA Kameshwar Dodiyar of the Bharat Adivsai Party, who participated in the rally, urged the state government to relocate the waste. He echoed the sentiments of the protesters, demanding that the hazardous material be disposed of elsewhere in India or abroad.

State Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya countered the protests, asserting that the disposal is court-ordered and scientifically sound. He encouraged residents to view awareness videos and participate in a planned public dialogue to address their concerns.

The protests highlight the ongoing anxieties surrounding the Bhopal gas tragedy and the long-term impact of its lingering toxic legacy. The incident, which occurred on December 2-3, 1984, resulted in at least 5,479 deaths and thousands of ongoing health issues.

Read More