ADM’s statement on gas disaster objectionable, says minister

Commenting on Bhopal additional district magistrate (ADM) Ratnakar Jha’s statement on ‘celebrating’ gas tragedy, minister for gas relief and rehabilitation Vishwas Sarang said the government will take cognisance if the administrative official has made such an objectionable statement.

Bhopal: Commenting on Bhopal additional district magistrate (ADM) Ratnakar Jha’s statement on ‘celebrating’ gas tragedy, minister for gas relief and rehabilitation Vishwas Sarang said the government will take cognisance if the administrative official has made such an objectionable statement.

All religion prayer session was organised in the state capital on Saturday to pay tributes to the victims of Bhopal gas disaster. (Mujeeb Faruqui/HT photo)

ADM Ratnakar Jha on Friday had reportedly raised questions on the need for declaring holiday on the anniversary of Bhopal Gas Tragedy. He also used the word “celebrate” instead of mourning for the anniversary of the industrial disaster. He said, “What is the need of a holiday? Let the gas tragedy survivors celebrate the anniversary.”

Congress leader PC Sharma said on Saturday that Jha’s statement is condemnable and amounted to an insult to the victims of the tragedy.

“Additional district magistrate Ratnakar Jha has hurt sentiments of thousands of gas victims by referring to the Bhopal gas tragedy anniversary as “celebrations”. This is very insensitive of him and the government should take action against him,” said gas tragedy survivor Kusum Srivas.