In and Out

Last Sunday, as is the custom; my day began with the Sunday sentiments of Karan Thapar in HT. It was an interesting read- one that concerns people involved in the Bhopal Gas tragedy, the Dow Jones Chemical Company and London Olympics.

The conclusion that the esteemed journalist reached was though India had already lodged protest against the inclusion of Dow Jones Co. as a sponsor in the London Olympics it would not withdraw from the same. Why? Because the matter has bitten dust for 3 decades, and no longer would be pivotal in India’s decision.

I would of course disagree with the idea. And this week’s developments have only confirmed what I believed was right in first place. London announced that “It would be sad, if India withdraws as it can not drop Dow Jones as one of its sponsors.”

London has played a gamble. India would fall for it. New Delhi has only to announce its official withdrawal from the games, and the World shall take notice.

 A govt. is elected by the people, to serve the people. That very govt. has made a mockery of the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy for the last 30 years by denying them justice. Stepping away now for want of a few Olympic medals- is betraying those people again. It would perhaps be more humane to subject them to a firing squad and be done with it. Those people would only have to suffer some moments of pain and misery- saved from the prolonged anguish and hopelessness.

The world’s largest democracy has to assert itself. Now is the time. Flex some muscle; announce “Britain still hasn’t got over its Colonial history where profit is measured in Indian blood.” This is the age of hype. When there isn’t any, there is a demand for such. America uses it all the time. Steve Jobs made a fortune out of it. Closer home, Mamata Bannerjee whipped Ratan Tata at Nandigram with it.

Surely, India could do some good with it.