Much as the deplorable Chinese human rights record became an issue in Canada before this year’s summer Olympics, the 2010 Vancouver Olympics may also be marred by similar controversies.

The U.S.-based DOW Chemical Company is likely to sponsor some of the events related to the 2010 winter Olympics. This has enraged survivors of the Bhopal gas leak tragedy.

In December 1984, a massive gas leak at the Union Carbide pesticide company (now owned by DOW) in Bhopal, India initially claimed about 5,000 lives. The number of the dead later jumped to 20,000, making it the worst industrial disaster in India’s history. Union Carbide’s CEO, Warren Anderson, was charged with manslaughter but was never arrested.

The activists, representing the victims’ families and those who were left visually impaired, are urging the B.C. government not to let DOW sponsor any of the events related to the 2010 Olympics.

Currently, they are holding a series of protests in India to pressure the government to bring the gas leak investigation to its conclusion and also make the DOW company accountable for the contamination of drinking water in Bhopal, in addition to compensating the victims’ families and survivors adequately. They have also intensified their campaign to stop DOW from setting up new business in India.

Satinath Sarangi, the leader of the group, had earlier visited Vancouver and claimed that DOW will be supplying some materials to the 2010 Olympics. He had demanded that the government not allow such companies to participate in an event that is supposed to promote harmony and health.

It is believed that this tragedy could have been avoided had the Union Carbide plant been shifted from a residential area given the potential for disaster.

The connivance of the Indian establishment cannot be ruled out, as several politicians were allegedly rubbing shoulders with company representatives. The Indian establishment may have turned a blind eye to the issue to attract foreign investment, but the B.C. government should consider banning DOW to send a strong message to institutions that value profits over the safety of people. Even opposition NDP members are silent.

Though the Olympic critic in the shadow cabinet, Harry Bains, happens to be an Indo-Canadian, he has not made any statement so far to draw the attention of the government to this tragedy.