Not responsible, says Dow Chemical

Since Dow Chemical bought Union Carbide in 1999, it has been asked to become a party to the ongoing criminal case and clean up the mess left behind by the gas leak. But Dow has refused to take esponsibility. Following is the company’s response to a query sent by BusinessLine.

"The 1984 gas release from the plant in Bhopal, India was a terrible tragedy. While we should never forget this tragic event, let’s also not forget the facts or rewrite history. The facts are that Dow was never in Bhopal nor is there any assumed liability as misrepresented by some groups. It is important to note that Dow never owned or operated the plant. 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 after review by the Indian Supreme Court in 1991. As Dow never owned or operated the Bhopal facility, any efforts to directly involve Dow in legal proceedings in India concerning the 1984 Bhopal tragedy are inappropriate, misguided and without merit."

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