Thaindian News

Bhopal, Jan 26 (IANS) Bhopal gas tragedy survivors and activists fighting to remove Dow Chemicals as a sponsor of the 2012 London Olympics Thursday welcomed Ethics Commissioner Meredith Alexander’s resignation from the panel over the company’s role.

“At least, she had the courage to take such strong step even being in London. But, it also exposes our officials and leaders who have no gut to take such bold step in protest against Dow Chemicals,” Abdul Jabbar of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udhyog Sangathan told IANS.

The five organisations who work for the cause of gas survivors Thursday felicitated Alexander by placing a bouquet of pink roses before her picture.

Rashida Bee, president of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Stationery Karmchari Sangh said: “By speaking the truth so boldly Alexander has nailed Dow Chemical’s lies that the London Olympics (organising) committee and its chairman, Lord (Sebastian) Coe, believed and propagated till recently. We hope this will make the committee dump Dow Chemicals as a sponsor of the London Games.”

Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action expressed hope that Alexander’s resignation will prompt the Indian government to express its opposition to Dow Chemical’s sponsorship more effectively.

“To be taken seriously by the London Olympic Committee, the Indian government has to do more than send a protest note. It is time for LOCOG to be told that India will not take part in the London Olympics if it continues to be sponsored by a corporation responsible for continuing death and suffering in Bhopal,” she said.

Alexander, who was one of the 13 Ethics Commissioners for the Games, late Wednesday quit her unpaid role, protesting against the 7 million pound sponsorship deal with the chemical giant, which is linked to Union Carbide, the company responsible for the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster that claimed thousands of lives.