New Delhi: The row over Bhopal-tragedy tainted Dow Chemical's sponsorship of next year's London Olympics is heating up with Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken saying that the government could take up the issue if needed.
Yesterday, the Minister wrote to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) asking it to convey India's concerns over Dow's involvement to the organisers. He today said that it was up to the association to deal with the issue.
"But the government can take it up directly, if needed," he added.
The company's sponsorship deal has led to outrage among victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy. They have demanded that India pull out of the Games. Former Indian Olympians have also come out in protest.
"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 NGOs and other bodies, it is no longer a local issue", acting IOA president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said in a statement on Monday.
The ministry has also asked the Indian mission in London to get more details from the organisers.
The company maintains that it never had a connection with the Bhopal disaster or its aftermath and that it will continue to assist IOC for successful London Olympics in 2012.
Last month, British MPs had joined the chorus against Dow's association with the event.
Yesterday, the Minister wrote to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) asking it to convey India's concerns over Dow's involvement to the organisers. He today said that it was up to the association to deal with the issue.
"But the government can take it up directly, if needed," he added.
The company's sponsorship deal has led to outrage among victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy. They have demanded that India pull out of the Games. Former Indian Olympians have also come out in protest.
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"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 NGOs and other bodies, it is no longer a local issue", acting IOA president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said in a statement on Monday.
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The ministry has also asked the Indian mission in London to get more details from the organisers.
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The company maintains that it never had a connection with the Bhopal disaster or its aftermath and that it will continue to assist IOC for successful London Olympics in 2012.
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Last month, British MPs had joined the chorus against Dow's association with the event.
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