Addl District Magistrate creates controversy, terms Bhopal gas tragedy anniversary as ``celebrations``

Bhopal: Additional District Magistrate Ratnakar Jha on Saturday stoked a controversy by making irresponsible comments while referring to the Bhopal gas tragedy anniversary.

Jha termed the Bhopal gas tragedy anniversary as "celebrations".

While talking to reporters over declaring a holiday on December 3, he said that it is just a normal day and the administration has already granted permission to whoever wants to celebrate the anniversary, including the affected people.

Congress was quick to condemn the Additional District Magistrate's statement, saying Jha insulted the victims of the tragedy.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister (Independent Charge) Vishwas Sarang said, "It is objectionable if any officer has made such a comment and the government will take cognisance of the issue."

On December 3, 1984, around 40 tons of methyl isocyanate gas accidentally leaked from a pesticide factory owned by US multinational Union Carbide Corporation, leading to the death of over 3,700 people, with thousands others injured. The tragedy is considered one of the world`s worst industrial disasters.

A prayer meeting was held at the Barkatullah Bhavan here today to pay respect to the people who had lost their lives due to poisonous gas leak in the Union Carbide factory 32 years ago.