BJP, Congress trade allegations as trial burning of Union Carbide waste begins

Allegations of cancer-causing elements in groundwater spark political feud over incineration of Union Carbide waste in Pithampur.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and State Congress president Jitu Patwari on Friday (February 28, 2025) engaged in counter allegations after the incineration of the Union Carbide’s 40-year-old toxic waste began at a facility in Pithampur, as part of the first trial run allowed by the High Court.

Mr. Patwari alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has given “cancer” to the future generations as he claimed that “cancer-causing elements” will be found in the groundwater in areas around the facility in Pithampur.

In response, Mr. Yadav charged the Congress had “distributed death” during the 1984’s Bhopal’s gas tragedy and termed the waste as “Congress’ garbage”, going on to allege that Mr. Patwari “scaring” people.

Burning of a 10-tonne batch began at the private facility in Dhar district’s Pithampur industrial area, near Indore, in the early hours of Friday (February 28, 2025) after the preparations that began on Thursday (February 27, 2025) were complete, shortly after the Supreme Court refused to intervene into the High Court’s February 18 order of three trial runs.

Swatantra Kumar Singh, Director, Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department, told The Hindu that the process is likely to be completed in 72 hours.

Demanding a test of groundwater in a 10-km radius around the facility in Indore, Mr. Patwari said, “I once again challenge the Chief Minister and the entire system of the State BJP government. If there is no poison in the Union Carbide waste, then get the groundwater tested within a 10-km radius around the Ramky company [parent group of the facility]. If cancer-causing elements are not found, I will publicly apologise.”

He went on to allege that the waste had been transported to Pithampur as “there are hidden financial interests” of the government and its leaders.