UPDATE, JULY 25TH 2008: a huge thank-you to the 839 people who have joined the strike so far. After 22 days without food, acting on medical advice, the first hunger strikers broke their fast on July 2nd. The same day another nine - all gas and water-affected Bhopalis - stopped eating. They, in turn, broke their fast one week later. In the time since, groups of 4-9 people have been fasting at the dharna site on a daily basis.

Join the Hunger Strike

WE MARCHED AND WERE IGNORED.
WE CAMPED AND WERE GIVEN EMPTY WORDS.
WE PROTESTED AND WE WERE BEATEN.
OUR PATIENCE HAS ENDED.

Read the hunger striker's daily diary

112 days after leaving Bhopal to meet Prime Minister Singh, survivors of gas and water exposure and their friends have been left with no choice but to commence an indefinite hunger strike until their just demands are finally met.

The decision to go without food has not been taken lightly: the hunger strikers are entirely serious in their intent. There is now no going back. For people already weakened by poisoned bodies and four months on the road, the dangers are clear. But without access to real health care, clean water or long, long overdue justice, they see no reason to return to Bhopal at all.

Most critical of all is your support. Without it, the hunger strike will fail.

There are two ways to support the Bhopal hunger strikers:

1. We ask all our friends, supporters and well-wishers around the world to join us in a global rolling hunger strike, each person fasting for 1 or 2, but no more than 3 days at a time. If you are seriously considering joining us on an indefinite fast, please carefully weigh the consequences beforehand. Linked here is some health advice for all fasters.

2. Please consider ways to make the most of your fast. Linked here is a toolkit containing ideas and resources for fasters.

Please register your fast:

You can register your details on this page, where you'll find a list of those currently joining us. A huge thank you and Bhopali hugs to all our supporters!

Background:

At noon on June 10th, seven survivors of the 1984 Union Carbide gas disaster and current water poisoning, and two of their supporters, began an indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi, in average temperatures of 40-45 C. They are joined by Booker Prize nominated author Indra Sinha, who is fasting from his residence in France.

This extreme step constitutes a last resort, taken only after months of concerted efforts to persuade Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to address the situation in Bhopal have failed.

Since February 20, 2008 – when 50 men, women and children set off on foot to cover the 500 miles from Bhopal to New Delhi – the Bhopalis have faced numerous hardships over more than one hundred days. They arrived in Delhi on 28 March and set up home on a small piece of footpath close to parliament. They've been arrested several times, including two times for protesting in front of the Prime Minister's Residence.

Finally, on June 2nd, the Prime Minister conveyed his "in principle" agreement to a Special Commission for rehabilitating Bhopal. But like past unfulfilled promises, no details nor timelines were provided, no proper health care or clean water were guaranteed. In the matter of the government's neglected responsibilities as prosecutor of the criminal case still ongoing against the fugitive Dow/Carbide, there was silence.

On June 9th, in desperation, 33 women and children and three men lay on the ground outside the PM's offices. After arrest, several of them, including 6 and 11 year old minors, were beaten and verbally abused by police.

This is the context we must react to now. In this important hour of our struggle for life, dignity and justice, we desperately need your solidarity and participation.

Please join 5000 others in sending
a free fax direct to the PM's office

Go back to the homepage