The event ‘Run Bhopal Run’ to be held on December 2 has irked various organizations working for Bhopal gas victims. They have equated the event to dancing on the graves of gas victims as the date coincides with the anniversary of world’s worst industrial disaster.
Bollywood sensation Kareena Kapoor and Tiger Shroff would be the star attraction of the half marathon event organized by a NGO and supported by Bhopal Municipal Corporation. “The organizers are showing deliberate indifference to the sufferings caused by the disaster 34 years ago. Organizing the event on same day is like dancing on the graves of the departed,” said Rachna Dhingra, representative of Bhopal Group for Information and Action. Even last year the survivors had opposed by lying down in the path of the runners but the organizers haven’t learnt anything, she added.
Various organizations working for the welfare of gas victims had criticized the event and organizers even last year. They are opposed to the selection of the date that coincides with the anniversary of Bhopal gas tragedy which killed thousands. Several thousand are affected by it still. “This is extremely insensitive and part of a larger plan to forget the pain and continued suffering of Bhopal gas disaster and its victims. Can there be a celebratory event to coincide with Holocaust Hiroshima Memorial Day,” asked activist, Abdul Jabbar.
Bhopal gas disaster, took place on the night of 2–3 December 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant. Every year these two day is symbolised by solemn events in remembrance and call for justice. State government holds an all-faith religious meet, the next morning on Dec 3.
Kareena would be joined by Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff for at the marathon, which would be followed by a food carnival.
It would be first official event for Kareena, after her marriage to Saif Ali Khan. Organising the event ‘Run Bhopal Run’ is a non-profit. The event in its second year, takes place on the first Sunday of December.
