A group of volunteers from Era Organics, Bhoomi and other groups with eye masks organised by Greenpeace.
“Today being Martyr’s day, we gather at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue on MG road to show our solidarity to those fighting against the introduction Bt Brinjal. The healthy response received from youth and faculty from various colleges is heartening especially from Biotechnology colleges such as Reva Institute of Science and Biotechnology, Mount Carmel College and more. We are fasting to safeguard our fundamental right to food security against the onslaught of Bt Brinjal and GM foods. We will not be subjected to toxic foods,” said Sangita Sharma from My Right to Safe Food.
Agricultural ministers of Orissa and Kerala also joined the fast in their respective states. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal have formally announced their decision against introducing Bt Brinjal.
Bt Brinjal has been produced by inserting a toxin gene, Cry 1 Ac, from a soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringenesis [Bt] into brinjal plant using the technique of genetic engineering. It has been developed by Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company Ltd [Mahyco].The producers claim that by producing the toxin the plant will be able to kill the major insect pest in Brinjal, the Fruit and Shoot Borer. GEAC, the regulatory body approved the crop on the basis of the safety test data presented by Mahyco. However, there is no long term feeding studies to prove the safety of this crop. Independent experts including the Supreme Court nominee in GEAC, Dr Pushpa Bhargav has pointed out that there are several short comings in the tests conducted by the company. The stiff resistance from different sections of the society following the approval forced the Government to conduct public consultations before taking a final decision.
“Farmers of this country have not asked for Bt Brinjal. The only one benefiting from this genetically modified crop are seed companies like Mahyco and their American boss Monsanto, the largest seed multinational in the world,” reminded Kodihalli Chandrashekhar of Karnataka Raya Rythu Sangha, the farmers union which is spearheading the resistance against GM crops in Karnataka.
“Bt Brinjal like any other GM crop poses a threat to democracy of our country as it violates our basic rights to safe and secure food,” said Bhakti Nefretiti, Campaigner, Greenpeace India. She further stated, “It is time that the people of this country unite and say no to it.”
Organizations like Sahaja Samrudha, ICRA, Samvada were also present. Bangalore will be hosting the last of the 7 city public consultations being chaired by the Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Mr. Jairam Ramesh. Groups gathered at the Gandhi Smriti urged Bangaloreans to take part in the consultations to save our rights over our food.
For further information, contact:
Sangita Sharma, My Right to Safe Food, 9448068347
Krishna Prasad, Sahaja Samrudha, 9880862058
Gayathri, Icra, 080–25283370
Mr. Jayaram, Era Organics, 9900911777
Bhakti Nefretiti, Greenpeace India, 9663655664
Media Contact:
Syed Mehaboob, Greenpeace India, syed.mehaboob@greenpeace.org, 9731301983
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- Protestors condemning introduction of Bt Brinjals and genetically modified food in Bangalore on Saturday
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- Krishna Prasad from Sahaja Samrudha looks on as Kodihalli Chandrashekhar – KRRS prepares himself to address the crowd.
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- Dr Narayan Reddy, sits undeterred raising slogans against Bt Brinjal.
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- We are watching, We are Listening Mr Jairam Ramesh and we will not be subject to toxic food..
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- Sangita Sharma, My Right to Safe Food, taking initiative encouraging slogans.
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- A group of volunteers from Era Organics, Bhoomi and other groups with eye masks organised by Greenpeace.
forget gm foods, get back to organics..
i am supplying organic veggies and fruits in mumbai… this is a weekly supply chain…
pls call on 9920296989 or mail to viraorganics@gmail.com..
For me that sounds interesting, who knows what the future will bring… Let
I TOTALLY AGREE TO ALL THOSE SENSIBLE PEOPLE WHO WHO WANT TO PUT A STOP THE BT BRINJAL AND OTHER GENETICALLY ENGG VEG , CROP OR EVEN ANIMALS …. THERE IS ENOUGH FOOD FOR EVERYONE IN OUR COUNTRY , BUTS ITS NOT DISTRIBUTED JUSTLY…… BECAUSE SOME POLITICANS ONLY WANT TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD 3 MONTHS PRE ELECTIONS 3 MONTHS POST ELECTIONS AND THEN VANISH IN THIN AIR…… FOR THE REST OF THE TENURE
GROW UP YOU DUMMIES SITTING IN THE ELECTED SEATS OF AUTHORITIES…….. BY CREATING GENETICALLY ENGG CROPS , VEGETABLES, ANIMALS …… YOUR MONEY WHICH YOU HAVE MADE CORRUPTLY WILL ONLY BE EATEN BY MOTHS AND NOT YOUR CHILDREN TO COME BECAUSE SOME FREAK CALAMITY WILL TAKE PLACE AND YOUR CHILDREN’S CHILDREN WILL PAY THE PRICE …………
STOP IT NOW AND DON;T ACT IGNORANT.
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