Deighton's statement is extremely shameful because it continued to spread the lie which Dow Chemicals wanted everyone to believe – that it faced no liability for the Bhopal gas disaster of 1984, said Rashida Bee of 'Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationary Karmchari Sangh' in a release.

Through its purchase of Union Carbide in 2001, Dow Chemicals had inherited the criminal, civil and environmental liabilities of Union Carbide gas leak, she said.

By having Dow as a sponsor, the London Olympics Organising Committee (LOCOG) was encouraging it to continue to evade the liabilities, Rashida said.

Meredith's resignation was a "clear indication" that LOCOG had decided to shut its ears and eyes to Dow Chemical's outstanding liabilities, and the least the Committee could do was to give a hearing to Bhopal gas survivors' organisation who could present facts on the issue, she claimed.

Another NGO has criticised the Indian government. Rachna Dhingra of 'Bhopal Group for Information & Action' said the Indian government needed to send a strong message to the International Olympic Committee and LOCOG that it would not take part in the Olympics if Dow's sponsorship was not revoked.