New Delhi, Nov 25 (IANS) A three-day film festival on one of the worst industrial disasters, the Bhopal gas tragedy, will start in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) this Sunday. Similar festivals, photo and art exhibitions and a rally will take place here Nov 29 onwards to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the event.
The disaster took place in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on the intervening night of Dec 2-3, 1984, when tonnes of methyl isocyanate and other lethal gases spewed out of the Union Carbide Corporation’s pesticide plant here, killing more than 3,500 people instantly and maiming several thousand others for life.

Over the years a number of films and documentaries have been made on the disaster, recapitulating the horrors of the night through the testimonies of people and showcasing how generations after that are still suffering the after-effects.

Javed Naqi of the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal said: “There are several films and documentaries made on the Bhopal gas tragedy. We have selected about 10 of these films and are screening them over three days in JNU Sunday onwards.”

“The film screenings will also take place in other colleges in the capital, like the Indraprastha and Lady Shri Ram college of Delhi University and the Jamia Millia Islamia University. We will also have art and photo exhibitions,” Naqi told IANS.

On Dec 3, a rally will be organised at either the Jantar Mantar or India Gate.

“The rally will see young and old from all walks of life. The main aim of the rally is not just to commemorate all those who lost their lives to the tragedy but also harp on our long standing demands of compensation, medical and health facilities and rehabilitation of victims,” Naqi said.

A whole lot of commemorative programmes, which include discussions, art exhibitions, film screenings, poetry recitals and candle light marches have started in Bhopal Wednesday and will culminate Dec 3.

Along with India, 16 other countries will organise commemorate programmes on the tragedy.