On 23 April, GoTN’s counsel & CJI Bobde made it appear as though the people of Thoothukudi were standing between India and her Oxygen. A day b4 his retirement, the CJI realised India’s need. BBC knew about it in Sept 2020. See article below. 1/n https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-54139112

On evening of 22 April, Thoothukudi Police sent missives to key people involved in the agitations against Sterlite asking them to attend a hurriedly put together “public consultation” at 8 am, next day at the collectorate. 2/n

Ppl were told it was about Sterlite’s proposal to “reopen Sterlite” to “produce O2.” Already media was agog with news about the imminent “opening” of Sterlite. This is not the 1st attempt by Sterlite to attempt back-door access to its sealed and illegal smelter complex. 3/n

Asking ppl of Thoothukudi for consent overnight on "reopening Sterlite" without any background or context & based on Sterlite's proposal is not consultation. It's a threat. Where is the urgency that context cant be provided for a crisis that has been brewing for a year? 4/n

CJI Bobde who dismissed a plea for a national COVID axn plan in Aug 2020 woke up a day b4 his retirement to discover COVID crisis & thundered on about his distress at unfolding oxygen crisis. 5/n

At least Justice Bobde woke up; after a year of plate-banging, lamp lighting, toppling govts, organising maha-spreaders & congratulating itself, GoI is still absent except when it speaks up to support Vedanta or calls on Twitter to take down inconvenient truths. . .6/n

Vedanta has been shut down by the state 4 contamination, fraud, unlicensed construction and poisoning the air with a gas leak in 2013. All are criminal offences under env law and IPC. If you had done any of these, you’d be eating jail-food. 7/n

In India, an elite poisoner of air knocks on the doors of the Supreme Court, declare its social responsibility, proclaim a burning desire serve the nation. GoI supports offender. SC unquestioningly entertains plea. 8/n

In any country where rule of law prevails, Vedanta & directors would be facing jail time for poisoning air, committing fraud, violating law. In India, the elite treat elite and corporate offenders with great respect and reserve our condemnation for the poor. 9/n