With the Dow Chemicals sponsorship of next year's London Olympics causing outrage among Bhopal Gas tragedy victims, the Indian sports ministry on monday asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to raise the issue with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In a letter addressed to IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra, the ministry expressed concern about the status of the contentious company as the official worldwide Olympic partner.

Dow Chemicals, which last year in July signed an agreement with the IOC, is the company that took over Union Carbide, responsible for the Bhopal Gas tragedy that killed over 15,000 people and disabled lakhs.

"The matter of Dow's liability, in respect of the Bhopal Gas tragedy victims is sub-judice and that the Government of India has itself filed a suit against the company. Strong public sentiment exists in this matter and a number of eminent ex-Olympians have also raised concerns," the letter stated.

"In the light of the above, and the fact that under the agreement between Dow and IOC, Dow will partner IOC and National Olympic Committees around the world, including India. We would advise the Indian Olympic Association to raise this matter immediately with the IOC while keeping the government informed," it added.

Dow is an official worldwide Olympic partner and the official chemistry company for the Olympic movement upto 2020 Games and as part of their agreement with the IOC they will also partner the National Olympic Committees around the world, including India.

Related Stories

Aslam urges PM, Sonia's intervention in Dow's Oly sponsorship

Former hockey Olympian and ex-MP Aslam Sher Khan has sought intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to ensure that Dow Chemicals company is not allowed any association with the 2012 London Olympic Games.

"The feelings of the people of Bhopal would be hurt if Dow Chemicals is allowed to be associated with the London Olympic Games," he said at a press conference here today.

"I have written to Congress president Sonia Gandhi about the need to ensure that Dow Chemicals, which is one of the sponsors of the event, is not allowed to be associated with the London Olympic Games.

"I have had also written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and all members of the Congress Working Committee over the issue and sought their support," he added.

Aslam felt the least Congress could do being the main ruling party with 207 MPs in the Lok Sabha was to put pressure on the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to lodge an official protest with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG).

"It would be highly insensitive of the government to remain a mute spectator when MPs from a foreign country are showing greater concern regarding justice for the people of Bhopal," Aslam said.

Dow Chemicals had taken over Union Carbide at whose Bhopal plant the world's worst industrial disaster had taken place in December 1984 following leakage of lethal Methyl Isocyanate gas.

Thousands were killed and lakhs were maimed in the tragedy that occurred in December 1984.

IOA to convey Olympic sponsorship concerns to IOC: Malhotra

With the Dow Chemicals sponsorship of next year's London Olympics causing outrage among Bhopal Gas tragedy victims, the IOA today decided to take up the matter with the International Olympic Committee.

The Indian Olympic Association today said that it will convey the concerns of the victims and Olympians to organisers of the 2012 London Games regarding its sponsorship deal with Dow.

"We will discuss this issue in our Executive Board & General Body Meeting on 15th December, 2011, IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said in a statement here.

"We will try to make Games Organisers aware of the feeling of the people who have suffered due to that tragedy.

It is not only the Indians who are protesting this sponsorship, there has been an outcry against this world over from various NGO's and other bodies, it is no longer a local issue," he said.

Dow Chemicals, which last year in July signed an agreement with the IOC, is the company that took over Union Carbide, responsible for the Bhopal Gas tragedy that killed over 15,000 people and disabled lakhs.

The sports ministry earlier today asked the IOA to raise the issue with IOC.

Dow Chemical will foot the bill of a temporary decorative wrap over London's Olympic Stadium and the move has created "dismay among the victims and others who see Olympic Games as celebration of best of human spirits."

The IOA has received representations from several Olympians and NGOs protesting the organisers' link with Dow.

Malhotra said former Olympians, IOA and the government are not happy with the sporting extravaganza's association with any 'tainted' sponsors.

"We understand the feelings of the players, government and the NGOs. We will discuss it seriously and see what we can do at our level. We will also keep the Union Government in the loop," Malhotra said.

The IOA is bound by the Olympic charter and "we will play our role within the framework of this charter," he added.

In a letter addressed to Malhotra, the ministry expressed concern about the status of the contentious company as the official worldwide Olympic partner.

"The matter of Dow's liability, in respect of the Bhopal Gas tragedy victims is sub-judice and that the Government of India has itself filed a suit against the company. Strong public sentiment exists in this matter and a number of eminent ex-Olympians have also raised concerns," the letter had stated.

"In the light of the above, and the fact that under the agreement between Dow and IOC, Dow will partner IOC and National Olympic Committees around the world, including India.

We would advise the Indian Olympic Association to raise this matter immediately with the IOC while keeping the government informed."

"We understand the feelings of the players, government and the NGOs. We will discuss it seriously and see what we can do at our level. We will also keep the Union Government in the loop," Malhotra said.

The IOA is bound by the Olympic charter and "we will play our role within the framework of this charter," he added.

In a letter addressed to Malhotra, the ministry expressed concern about the status of the contentious company as the official worldwide Olympic partner.

"The matter of Dow's liability, in respect of the Bhopal Gas tragedy victims is sub-judice and that the Government of India has itself filed a suit against the company. Strong public sentiment exists in this matter and a number of eminent ex-Olympians have also raised concerns," the letter had stated.

"In the light of the above, and the fact that under the agreement between Dow and IOC, Dow will partner IOC and National Olympic Committees around the world, including India.

We would advise the Indian Olympic Association to raise this matter immediately with the IOC while keeping the government informed."