One-day fast against Bt Brinjal across India

KOLKATA - Some scientists, academics, members of civil society groups and farmers across India will observe a one-day fast Saturday to protest against the possible release of the genetically modified crop Bt Brinjal for commercial cultivation.

The central environment ministry is now holding public consultations in various Indian cities to decide if it will allow commercial release. Last October, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee of the government had cleared it. But a member of the committee, Pushpa Bhargava, has alleged that all necessary tests were not carried out before the decision was taken.

As part of the protest, scientists and activists here will observe the fast at a stall at the ongoing Kolkata Book Fair, which began here Jan 25.

“We have decided to stage a token fast Jan 30, protesting against the introduction of Bt Brinjal. Organisations like Greenpeace International and Earthcare have already agreed to participate in the protest,” Development Research Communication and Services Centre (DRCSC) secretary Anshuman Das told IANS Thursday.

He said the protest programme would be carried out across India.

“We are also trying to bring some farmers from the rural parts of West Bengal who will participate in the day-long fast at the book fair stall Earthcare,” he said.

Hundreds of farmers and scientists protested against the introduction of Bt Brinjal during a public consultation held in January in Kolkata in the presence of central Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.

Several scientists and green groups also raised the issue of bio-technology and environmental friendliness of this new agricultural produce, citing fears over health security.

“Most of the people have already rejected Bt Brinjal because of several reasons. Yesterday (Wednesday), a public consultation was held in Nagpur where almost 70 percent participants rejected the proposal of introducing this genetically modified crop cultivation,” Das said.