The real tragedy of Bhopal is that among the grandstanding, blame-shifting and the most contemptible hypocrisy displayed by our political parties; and the totally misguided hysteria generated by the Indian media, the genuine victims of the Bhopal tragedy have been all but forgotten.

The most ludicrous manifestation of the dog and pony show currently being played out is the cacophonous clamour created by the media for the extradition of Union Carbide former Chairman, Warren Anderson. It is as if the return of a senile 89-year old American will spontaneously and magically bring “justice” to the 15,000 victims of the gas leak, who have been patiently enduring their misery and pain, unheeded and unheralded, for a quarter century.

On the other side of the fence, the ruling Congress party is tying itself in knots, trying to justify why they facilitated the quick departure of Anderson to his native shores. They seem to have settled on then Chief Minister of Bhopal, Arjun Singh as the designated scapegoat. The hapless Singh, who had been put out to pasture during the Congress’ second innings, is not even being allowed to enjoy his senility in peace. Meanwhile the BJP, who believes that its primary function as the chief opposition party is to oppose everything, has got on its moral high horse, conveniently oblivious of the fact that they, too, suffered a collective amnesia about the Bhopal victims during the 5 years they were in power.

The India media, suffused with self righteous indignation, is completely missing the point. Instead of concentrating on Anderson – the Times Now television news channel, in an unpardonable invasion of privacy, went to the extent of barging in, uninvited, to the Anderson residence – and the embarrassment of the Congress, they should be asking the pertinent questions, not to mention indulging in self introspection.