Victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy are taking a stand in the Indian capital of New Delhi. They are protesting against the Dow Chemicals Company sponsoring the Live Earth environmental series, and they have the support of Amnesty International.

Dow Chemicals has consistently maintained that they do not hold accountability for the disaster, having bought the responsible company, Union Carbide, many years after the toxic gas leak.

But many environmental groups are adamant that they remain responsible for the ongoing horrific consequences of the disaster.

[Satinath Sarangi, Social Activist]:
"Today all over the world, Live Earth is organizing a run for water. This event, which is supposed to address the global water crisis, ironically is being sponsored by Dow Chemicals, which is one of the greatest polluters on earth and one of the big reasons why there is a water crisis today. To start with, Dow Chemical is responsible for the poison in the ground water and soil in Bhopal that is causing cancer and birth defect and damage to the liver, kidneys and brain in Bhopal."   
   
In 1984, more than 3,500 people died in the central Indian city of Bhopal after inhaling toxic fumes released from a pesticide plant owned by Union Carbide.

Official figures say at least 15,000 have died since from cancer and other diseases.   
         
Activists put the death toll at 33,000, saying toxins from thousands of tonnes of chemicals abandoned on the site have contaminated the ground water.    
        
Over 25 years later, babies are still being born with disabilities. 

Dow Chemicals bought Union Carbide in 2001.
          
Assessments made by environmentalists and voluntary groups indicate that making the area safe for the people of Bhopal will cost around 500 million dollars.