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Why are people protesting in India about the London 2012 Olympic Games?

It all has to do with a gas leak from a pesticide plant in Bhopal.

You mean the Bhopal disaster? Didn't that happen years ago?

Yes. Twenty-seven years ago to be exact. The Bhopal plant was owned by Union Carbide and produced plant pesticides. When toxic gas leaked from the plant it caused more than 3,000 deaths within days of the leak, according to the Indian government. Several thousand permanent and partial disabilities have also been reported. It is considered one the world's worst industrial tragedies and it still evokes very strong public sentiment in India and worldwide.

So who are Dow?

In February 2001 Union Carbide and Dow Chemicals merged to form the largest chemical company in the world. Dow claims it is not responsible for the tragedy. It stated the £288 million settlement Union Carbide paid to the Indian government in 1989 was fair and final. However, survivors still hold Dow responsible and demand that all medical and environmental liabilities in Bhopal be transferred to the new company. There are still some cases pending today.

What has this got to do with London 2012?

Dow has entered into a 10-year agreement with the International Olympic Committee. It recently revealed it will provide £7 million for an artistic wrap which will cover the London Olympic Stadium.

What's wrong with a wrap?

Bhopal survivors were so against Dow having such prominent advertising at the Games that they burnt an effigy of Lord Coe on the anniversary of the disaster on 3 December at the former site of the Bhopal plant.

What do Indian athletes think?

Members of the Indian Olympic team, rights groups and politicians have expressed strong concerns to the Indian Olympic Association regarding Dow's agreement. The joint secretary for sport, Rahul Bhatnager, highlighted that Dow's agreement is not just with the International Olympic Committee but also with National Olympic Committees, including India.

So what happens now?

The president of the Indian Olympic Association, Vijay Malhotra, has reiterated that India will not boycott the Games. However, members of the Indian Olympic Association are meeting on 15 December to review their options.

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