New Delhi:
With the issue of Dow Chemicals sponsoring next year's London Olympics flaring up, the Ministry of External Affairs has stepped in.
In a letter dated December 3, the ministry says that Dow sponsorship of the Olympics is a very sensitive issue and there is strong public opinion against it.
The London Organising Committee has also been asked for a report.
The issue has received diplomatic attention because of India's desire to bid for 2020 Olympics. But with Dow around as a sponsor, India can't make a bid for the Games.
The Sports Ministry has already written to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in this regard. The IOA has 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 on Monday.
Dow, meanwhile, says it never had a connection with Bhopal disaster or its aftermath and that it will continue to assist IOC for successful London Olympics in 2012.
Dow Chemicals, which last year in July signed an agreement with the IOC, is the company that took over Union Carbide, responsible for the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy that killed over 15,000 people and disabled lakhs.
The company is footing the bill for a temporary decorative wrap over London's Olympic Stadium. The move has led to an outrage among Bhopal gas tragedy victims.