India wants Dow ousted from Olympics sponsorship

New Delhi: India is mounting pressure on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to seek the ouster of Dow Chemicals as sponsors of London 2012 and the Sports Ministry has written to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in this regard.

Dow Chemicals is the company that's believed to be responsible for the Bhopal gas tragedy, one of the worst instances of human neglect leading to loss of thousands of lives.

Dow had recently filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court rejecting demands for a greater compensation for the victims of the Bhopal tragedy.

Activist Rachna Dhingra said Indian Olympians should boycott the London Games if it continues it's association with Dow.

CNN-IBN has accessed a copy of the letter in which the ministry has asked the IOC to raise the matter with IOC keeping Indian sensibilities in mind.

India has a golden chance of winning several medals in the Lonon Olympics for the first time and the move has deeply upset the Sports Ministry.

The Sports Ministry has conveyed its disappointment to the IOA over the fact that Dow Chemicals is one of the sponsors for London Games. The letter, written by Joint Secretary, Sports Rahul Bhatnagar, said, "Matter of Dow's liability in respect of Bhopal gas tragedy victims is subjudice. The Government of India has itself filed a suit against the company. Strong public sentiments exist in this matter and a number of eminent ex-Olympians have also raised concerns. Under the agreement, Dow will partner IOC and National Olympics Committee across the world including India. Indian Olympics Association should raise this matter immediately with the International Olympics Committee."

"The agreement has been signed by the International Olympic Committee. When IOC has signed an agreement, IOA is competent to take a decision," said Sports Minister Ajay Maken.

"It's wrong to play with emotions of people. The Government of India should intervene," said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan.

The IOA, otherwise on a warpath with the Sports Ministry over the Sports Bill, was quick to come out in support of the Ministry this time. IOA chief Vijay Kumar Malhotra has promised to raise the matter with the International Olympic Committee.

This is the first time that Dow has become the official worldwide partner for Olympics till 2020. Sports Ministry's concerns stems from the resentment, which still exists in large parts of the country about whether Dow got away literally with blue murder.

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#Indian Olympics Association #London Olympics #International Olympics Committee #Dow Chemicals #Bhopal gas tragedy #Sports Ministry