D-9 | Picture of the day

Barkat Ali, 52 years old

The story of Barkat Ali is a tragic tale of compounded injustices. Accused of a murder he did not commit, he was imprisoned at Vidisha and transferred to Bhopal in 1982. A gas victim, he continued to serve his sentence for 8 years as his health worsened. He was released in 1989, and moved to Nawab Colony, a neighbourhood whose water is highly contaminated. In 2006, Barkat lost his 16 year old step-sister after multiple cardiac complications. In 2008, he participated to the Padyatra.

Image: © Micha Patault

On February 20th, 2008, 50 Bhopalis repeated the Padyatra (March) to pressure the Prime Minister to keep his promises. They insisted that a long-term Special Commission be established on health, economic rehabilitation, drinking water and environmental protection. They simultaneously demanded that the government take legal action against Dow Chemical and Union Carbide.
After 800 km and 38 days of walking, the padyatris held a sit-in in New Delhi. Multiple campaign actions were launched and the slogan ‘‘Walk your Talk’’ resonated as a leitmotif. ‘‘We will not return to Bhopal until our demands are met by the Prime Minister !’’ declared the padyatris (Hindi for marchers).