Disappointed for being blamed for Bhopal tragedy: Dow
The statement came in response to yesterday's petition by former Indian Olympians to the International Olympics Committee to scrap a sponsorship deal it has with the company.
By ET Bureau | Updated:
CHENNAI: Dow Chemical Company has told ET it is disappointed for being blamed for the 1984 gas tragedy in Bhopal. The statement came in response to yesterday's petition by former Indian Olympians to the International Olympics Committee to scrap a sponsorship deal it has with the company.
Dow is the current owner of Union Carbide, from whose plant the deadly methyl isocyanate gas leaked in 1984 resulting in the death of thousands of people and disabilities to many more.
In an email statement to ET, Dow said, "Dow never owned or operated the facility in Bhopal." It said, "Dow acquired the shares of Union Carbide Corporation more than 16 years after the tragedy, and 10 years after the $470 million settlement agreement - paid by Union Carbide Corporation and Union Carbide India, Limited - was approved by the Indian Supreme Court. The settlement agreement has been reviewed twice and again upheld by the Supreme Court of India in 1991 and 2007."
Dow further said, "Regarding Bhopal, the 1984 Union Carbide Bhopal incident was a terrible tragedy that none of us in the industry will ever forget. However, it is disappointing that some people are trying to assign blame and responsibility to Dow."
On Monday, 22 former Indian Olympians, including hockey star Dhanraj Pillay, petitioned the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to scrap its sponsorship deal with Dow Chemical Company for its links with the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984. The sponsorship deal is worth £7 million and involves an artistic centrepiece.
The IOC has decided to partner with Dow for the London Olympics 2012, the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter games, the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Olympics too.
Copies of the petition were sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too.
A similar demand was made by the members of Britain’s Opposition last week, as reported by AP.
Dow is the current owner of Union Carbide, from whose plant the deadly methyl isocyanate gas leaked in 1984 resulting in the death of thousands of people and disabilities to many more.
In an email statement to ET, Dow said, "Dow never owned or operated the facility in Bhopal." It said, "Dow acquired the shares of Union Carbide Corporation more than 16 years after the tragedy, and 10 years after the $470 million settlement agreement - paid by Union Carbide Corporation and Union Carbide India, Limited - was approved by the Indian Supreme Court. The settlement agreement has been reviewed twice and again upheld by the Supreme Court of India in 1991 and 2007."
Dow further said, "Regarding Bhopal, the 1984 Union Carbide Bhopal incident was a terrible tragedy that none of us in the industry will ever forget. However, it is disappointing that some people are trying to assign blame and responsibility to Dow."
On Monday, 22 former Indian Olympians, including hockey star Dhanraj Pillay, petitioned the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to scrap its sponsorship deal with Dow Chemical Company for its links with the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984. The sponsorship deal is worth £7 million and involves an artistic centrepiece.
The IOC has decided to partner with Dow for the London Olympics 2012, the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter games, the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Olympics too.
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Copies of the petition were sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too.
A similar demand was made by the members of Britain’s Opposition last week, as reported by AP.
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