Jairam Ramesh at public consultations in Ahmedabad

Over 1,200 individuals gathered at the JB Auditorium, Ahmedabad Management Association for the third round of the seven consultations, proposed by Jairam Ramesh, Minister of Environment and Forests. People came from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat to voice their concerns on the much debated genetically modified food crop – Bt brinjal.

In the first session, out of 28 farmers who got to speak, 18 rejected Bt brinjal. In the second session, where scientists expressed their views and feedback, an overwhelming 13 scientists out of 15 scientists who spoke, took a stand against the entry of Bt Brinjal.

The minister spoke to an audience of over 500 stakeholders inside the auditorium while another 700 stood outside, waiting to be heard.

A young student from Ahmedabad presents Jairam Ramesh with a variety of non-Bt brinjal.

‘Let me choose what I eat’, ‘We are no lab rats’, ‘GM food an attack on the environment’ were some of the messages given to the Minister as he walked into the consultation. A young student from Ahmedabad also presented Jairam Ramesh with a varied variety of non-Bt brinjal reminding him that the future of India lies in his hands.

Within minutes of the Minister walking into the room, he suggested that Ahmedabad was important because Bt Cotton was successful here. The farmers and the scientists were equivocal in their opposition to the Bt Brinjal. Some even suggested that the seed manufacturers and the GEAC members should be made to eat Bt Brinjals for two years before it was introduced to the general public.

In turn, Jairam Ramesh assured that the ministry was in no hurry to come to a conclusion, and would not take a decision in a closed room.’

These three consultations seem to have set the mood for the remaining ones. As we move ahead, we hope to hear a lot more NOs to Bt Brinjal.

Team Ahmedabad

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Students form a message - 'Say No to Bt Brinjal'

Shivani Shah from GM free coalition said “gathered here are the youth of India who are speaking to the decision making adults urging them not to tinker with their future”. On being asked why is Bt Brinjal such an important issue, Shivani answered “this is an important issue for three main reasons, the first one being that the impact Bt Brinjal will have on human health is not known. The second being that the release of Bt Brinjal is a direct threat to the biodiversity of brinjals in India. And lastly, it will affect the exports of food to countries which have banned GM food”.

“When it comes to Bt Brinjal, our students are equal stakeholders as all the Indian citizens are and hence their voice should be heard. Our students have tried to send a message through this human art formation and I hope that it is heard by decision makers”, said Preetha Pillai, Principal of New Tulip High School.

Union Minister for Environment and Forest, Shree Jairam Ramesh, is expected to arrive in Ahmedabad for public consultations on the 19th of January 2010. Ahemdabad is the third of the seven cities where the consultations will take place. This is a call for people of Ahmedabad to participate in these consultations, which are mainly being organized to gather the opinions of the larger section of the society.

Notes to Editor:
GM free Coalition is a coalition between NGOs, farmers, scientist and Consumer groups across India

Media Person: Hozefa Merchant +919819592410 Email: hozefa.merchant@gmail.com
Campaigner: Shivani Shah +919986877364 Email: shivani.shah@greenpeace.org
Principal, New Tulip International School, +919909979087

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