I lost my eyes, the world has moved forward, we are not there '

Updated: Fri, 03 Oct 2025 07:21 am (IST) Bhopal gastragtie has been almost 40 years, but the people suffering from it are waiting for justice today. One is 61 -year -old Santosh Kulkarni who stands still in his place near Tilak Road in Dombivali and Gajanan Maharaj temple on Bhagat Singhweg. Santosh is a living person in the Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984 waiting for justice. Srikanth Khuprakar, Mumbai. It has been almost 40 years since the Bhopal gastray, but the people suffering from it are waiting for justice today. One is 61 -year -old Santosh Kulkarni who stands still in his place, near Tilak Road in Dombivali and outside the Gajanan Maharaj temple on Bhagat Singh Road. Remove ad, just read the news. Some residents recognize them. Some drink water. Some stop listening. Most people go there. Because people are not aware of their history. This gentle Santosh carries these black glasses that wander from course to pace, and is a living person in the 1984 Bhopal Gastraga for justice awaiting. Santosh, originally from Pune, was only 20 years old, when he was sent to Bhopal at the end of November 1984 on a short period electrician contract. A few days before the disaster arrives. He said that the night took everything away. I couldn’t breathe, I vomited, my eyes were burning. Within a few hours, my vision went away forever. After the leakage of the deadly methyl -isocyanate gas from the Union Carbide factory, his contractors immediately brought him to Pune and recognized him to a government hospital. The doctors said that I was doing well. But I never saw the light again. Santosh now lives in a simple room in Khardi near Kasara, who gave a businessman on condition of anonymity. Santosh says the businessman said I can live but never tell my name. They saved my life. Santosh now lives with his sister Sarita and Brother -In -law Ramesh Nimbalkar, who is elderly. The couple settled here eight months ago from Pune after the death of Santosh’s mother. Santosh says, “I’m not going to beg there, but to show people. When I’m sitting at home, I’m dead.” Bank employee Sanjay Sherlekar has been watching Santosh for years. He says, “He is always in one place. Sometimes I give him food, sometimes he never begs. He just … he stays there. Whatever he gives, he accepts him. People never give him outdated food. He is always fresh.” He goes on to say, “Who helps him to respect him.” The Bhopal Gas tragedy officially killed thousands of people and many people sustained long -term health problems: blindness, lung damage, cancer and innate malformations. People like Santosh have been waiting for compensation and proper help for decades. Santosh says: “I have not received any special compensation for many years, not even the disability certificate. Only the good people helped me stay alive.” In 2010, eight accused were sentenced to only two years in prison. Everyone was released on bail. Groups victims call it a ‘joke of justice’. Despite his struggle, Santosh lives a regular and faithful life. As a religious Brahmin, he wakes up for more in the morning and prays before catching the morning train. Santosh said I studied until ninth degree. I have been practicing in electrician. I wanted to work hard and live with respect. I never thought my life would become a waiting room waiting for justice. Santosh is not looking for grace, but is looking for possibility. He says: “If an institution can help me start a small business in Khardi, it will not only help me, but also my sister and brother -in -law. We are old, but we want to live with respect.” Attempts come at the local level. With contact, Hema Mumbarkar, Assistant Commissioner of Kalyan Domebivali Municipal Corporation, said: “I’ll try to help. I will also talk to Dombivali Rotary Club for Santosh.” Rotarian Snehal Shinde said we would evaluate what kind of work he could do, and discuss it with its members. We want to help in a durable way. Eventually, Santosh says I don’t want donations, I just want people to remember that we’re still here waiting. Not for bail, but for respect. For justice. Even after 40 years, Santosh Kulkarni waits – not in anger, but in a calm hope that there will be someone who will care so much that he will not look at him.