It will be interesting to see how the Modi government reacts to the strong accusations by the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, over the green signal for field trials of genetically modified (GM) rice, mustard, cotton, chickpeas and brinjal. The SJM lashed out at the Modi government for “deceiving” the people who were told during the election campaign, as well as in the BJP manifesto, that GM foods will not be allowed without “full scientific evaluation.”
The SJM asked the government to explain what “full scientific evaluation” was done and what changed since April 7, when the BJP manifesto was released, and July 18, when the field trials were announced. One wonders how the government will wriggle out of this. The SJM reminded the government that a moratorium on field trials was imposed after a long and bitter struggle by several popular groups, including the SJM. Even the Supreme Court-appointed technical committee had recommended an indefinite moratorium till the government devised a proper regulatory and safety mechanism.
Besides the proven harm that genetically modified crops cause to the soil and human beings, it enslaves farmers for the remainder of their lives to powerful multinational seed corporations. It will also deprive people of different varieties of local brinjals, cotton and other crops.
