Sunday, June 13, 2010

Protest song against corporate greed brewing at the top

Dear Dave,

Perhaps you have heard about the Bhopal Gas Disaster in 1984, where around 3-5 thousand people died immediately after the gas leak. Till today more than 25000 have died. For 26 years, we were told judicial action,that is, a court case against the guilty is ongoing and due process is taking the time. After 26 years and 25000 dead, hundreds of thousands sick with chemical poisoning and dying, 7 of 8 accused got 2 years jail and currently are appealing in higher court and are out on bail. In normal course, this case will take another 10-15 years by which all of the accused would have died their natural death after living their normal life (As it happened in the case of the 8th accused)

Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson, is currently living in New York, He had jumped bail and has been declared a fugitive by the Indian court. Surprising after or maybe before the bail, he was flown out of Bhopal by that state's Chief Minister. Request for his extradition was never taken up seriously by Indian Government and all politicians are backing the corrupt corporation. Union Carbide does not exist now, both internationally and in India, Globally it has been purchased by Dow Chemicals and In India, all of its assets were allowed to be sold in Eveready.

All the lawyer-turned-cronies are claiming the top management and the new companies/owners carry no liability, Primary or Vicarious. Like many others, I am protesting in all the ways possible. I feel there is no east-west or north-south divide in this. The People of United States are feeling the same about BP oil-spill. Tomorrow if a similar Oil-spill or Industrial disaster happens in Europe, people will suffer the same way. Our common friend (Although my acquaintance is through twitter only) Mr. Shekhar Kapoor also feels justice has not been done in Bhopal case. 

I have written a protest song (More of rhyme actually), which is given below. I'm no poet or songwriter or musician, but a protest song will help in awareness. My forte is numerical analysis and software programming and my last position in 2 decade long career was Vice President (Technical). So please feel free to comment on my writing, which might be "no good" at all.

But I'm sure, you can make something out of it.
[PROTEST SONG]

I’m just a chairman with no responsibility,
In the name of torts, I carry no liability.
I got golden parachutes,
I can bail out, when I want to,
If you tax me more,
I can “get the hell out o town” too.
I’m just a chairman with no responsibility,
In the name of torts, I carry no liability.

Be it Bhopal, be it Gulf,
My greed can ruin any habitat.
Maybe people die, people starve,
But look at the GDP’s upward curve.
I’m just a chairman with no responsibility,
In the name of torts, I carry no liability.

[Mr Chairman, People are dying in Bhopal.]
I’m just a chairman with no responsibility
[Mr Chairman, People are crying in Bhopal]
I’m just a chairman, I'm the chairman.
[Mr Chairman, Mr Chairman livelihoods are lost]

I’m just a chairman with no responsibility,
In the name of torts, I carry no liability.

I'm the new King, I'm powerful
I can choke your voice.
I'm the gonna break your toys.
I'm gonna get you killed,
If you ever any more noise.
Dont you know....

I’m just a chairman with no responsibility,
In the name of torts, I carry no liability.

I’m just a chairman with no responsibility,
In the name of torts, I carry no liability.