LOCOG goes with Dow, protest grows

"I think that it is great that we have got this independent function to oversee so all this is washed through transparently. I think that is fine but we are moving on," he added.
Human right bodies in Bhopal slammed Deighton saying comments made by him were shameful because it continues to spread the same lie which Dow Chemicals wants everyone to believe that it has faces no liability for Bhopal disaster.

Safreen Khan of Children Against Dow-Carbide holds Dow Chemical responsible for the contamination of ground water in her community.

She said that because of Dow Chemical's refusal to clean up the hazardous waste left by Union Carbide factory, 40000 people are routinely exposed to cancer and birth defect causing chemicals. She said that by allowing Dow Chemical as a sponsor Deighton was encouraging Dow to continue to poison the unborn.

Rachna Dhingra of Bhopal Group for Information & Action said that Indian government needs to send a strong message to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and LOCOG that it will not take part in London Olympics if Dow Chemical's sponsorship is not revoked.

The resignation of Alexander triggered an outcry and UK´s Opposition Labour Party´s Shadow Olympic Minister Tessa Jowell, who had earlier too expressed solidarity with the Bhopal victims, once again demanded a review of the sponsorship of the Olympics by Dow Chemicals.

Another Labour Party lawmaker is as vocal and even asked the Indian politicians to take a call.

"This is not just a UK campaign. I frankly want to see Indian politicians getting involved," said Barry Gardiner, Labour MP, speaking to NDTV .

He said Indian politicians now need to come out and rise to the cause because they represent the people of Bhopal.

Jowell issued a statement saying: "I have called today for an audit of the steps taken that led the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 to recommend to the London Olympics organisers, the LOCOG, that Dow Chemicals´ sponsorship of the wrap was consistent with the high sustainability aims that we set for 2012 (Games).

"We also need to understand what the role of other Commissioners was in the process which reached that conclusion.

"We need a solution not a row. Dow Chemicals need to understand the seriousness with which people take the continuing situation in Bhopal following the tragic disaster in 1984. I will do everything I can to make sure this issue does not overshadow the Games. There is still time for a solution to be found."

Back in Bhopal, Alexander became a revered person and the Bhopal victims hailed her decision with jubilation. Bhopal survivors thanked Alexander for her solidarity. They also hoped that after Alexander's resignation Indian government will find its backbone and hopefully it will stand with the survivors of the world's worst industrial disaster.
London Mayor Boris Johnson had appointed Alexander to serve on the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012.

Dow is likely to provide a plastic wrap that would encircle the London 2012 Olympics stadium during the sporting event.

Dow bought Union Carbide in 1999, the company whose Indian subsidiary owned the Bhopal pesticide plant the spewed the poisonous gas.
Union Carbide had paid $470 million in compensation in 1989, but the survivors and activists said it was too small an amount for such a catastrophe and they should pay $1.2 billion more in damages.

On the other hand, the company has clarified its stance by issuing a statement which said that it was in no way involved with the Bhopal tragedy or its aftermath.

While it is understandable that human emotions evoked by the tragedy remain, allowing a misrepresentation of facts and to rewrite history as some are trying to do is not only wrong, but it sends an unfortunate and inaccurate message that obscures the facts rather than clarifies the Bhopal tragedy, the company said.