US Diplomat Henry Kissinger’s Role in Bhopal Gas Tragedy Case Revealed
The recent death of renowned US diplomat Henry Kissinger has shed light on his controversial involvement in the Bhopal gas tragedy case. Kissinger, known for his expertise in realpolitik, utilized his political finesse to navigate international relations, often engaging in covert operations and clandestine dealings.
One such instance occurred after the devastating Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984, which resulted in numerous fatalities and long-lasting impacts on future generations. Kissinger played a contentious role in shielding American chemical company Union Carbide from legal accountability, forcing the victims to pursue justice through the courts for adequate compensation.
On the night of December 2 and 3, 1984, a toxic methyl isocyanate gas leak from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal claimed the lives of over 3,000 people and affected more than 100,000 others. The aftermath of the leak brought chaos and devastation to the capital of Madhya Pradesh, as residents fled their homes due to stinging eyes and difficulty breathing. Hospitals were overwhelmed with patients suffering from respiratory ailments, skin burns, and blindness.
In the days following the tragedy, the death toll continued to rise, with estimates ranging from 15,000 to a staggering 25,000. Warren Anderson, chairman of Union Carbide, was among those arrested. However, he was released on bail of $2,000 with a promise to return. The Indian government then filed a $3.3 billion claim for damages against Union Carbide in a US court.
Kissinger’s consulting firm, Kissinger Associates, took on Union Carbide as a client following the disaster and continued to lobby on their behalf for years. In a letter, Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Group, revealed that Kissinger expressed concern over the delay in reaching an agreement on compensation for the Bhopal disaster victims.
In February 1989, after 24 days of legal deliberations, the Supreme Court ordered Union Carbide to pay a final settlement of $470 million. However, this settlement was widely criticized as insufficient given the magnitude of the tragedy and its long-term impact on affected communities. The most significant flaw was dropping all charges against Union Carbide and its managers, although this decision was later overturned by the Supreme Court in 1991.
Despite the settlement, Warren Anderson never faced trial in an Indian court and passed away in 2014 at the age of 92. Many view JRD Tata’s letter as significant evidence of the complicity of the US government and Kissinger in offering inadequate compensation to the victims and subsequent generations affected by the Bhopal disaster.
The US government’s protection of American corporate interests, particularly Union Carbide and its parent organization Dow Chemicals, has hindered justice for the Bhopal disaster victims by shielding these corporations from accountability. The legacy of Kissinger’s involvement in the Bhopal gas tragedy case continues to spark debate and raises important questions about the role of diplomacy in safeguarding human rights and seeking justice for those affected by industrial disasters.
