Protest for GM free India

YUVA Rural is a part of “Coalition for GM free India” group

Media Coverage of 6th May Dharna at Jantar Mantar, Delhi

Farmers protest over genetically modified crops in Delhi - Yahoo! (http://in.news.yahoo.com/ani/20080506/r_t_ani_nl_general/tnl-farmers-protest-over-genetically-mod-99cbaa1.html)

New Delhi, May 6 (ANI): Farmers from different parts of the country on Tuesday demonstrated at the Jantar Mantar on Parliament street over the use of genetically modified crops in the country. Organised by Coalition for a GM-free India, the protesting farmers demanded that the genetically modified technology should be banned in the country, as it was against the Indian farmers' interest. Protestors said that with the spread of genetically modified (GM) crops, farmers' rights could be seized in the name of the Intellectual Property Rights and patents.

"This technology is against the interests of the peasants of the country. Farmers' rights would be snatched from them in the name of the IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) and patent rights. Moreover, this technology causes adverse impact on the health and environment. Therefore, this technology should not be practiced in the country," said Kavitha Kuruganti of Coalition for a GM-free India. The protestors included leaders of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU).

"Bt (Cotton) is poison and this has been spreading fast in our farms. People till recently used manures and other methods for a good harvest and led a healthy life. Bt brinjal is the first GM (genetically modified) food crop, which will be approved for a second and final season trial before commercialization," said Ram Singh Solanki, a leader of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU).As per the Cotton Advisory Board, India's GM cotton area is estimated at 6.33 million hectares or 66 per cent of the total cotton area in 2007- 08 that is up from 3.69 million hectares in 2006-07.

The government of India allowed commercial cultivation of Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt cotton, the country's first GM crop in 2002. (ANI)

Farmers seek ban on GM crops - The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/07/stories/2008050760301200.htm)   

NEW DELHI: Several hundred farmers under the banner of "Coalition for a GM-free India" gathered here on Tuesday to demand a ban on genetically modified (GM) crops and food, saying these would affect not only humans but also livestock, soil and environment.

They urged political parties to take a categorical stand on GM crops in the run-up to the general elections. "It is an unwanted, irretrievable, undesirable technology," they said.

The protesters were supported in their call for a GM-free India by representatives of political parties across the spectrum. Celebrities like Milind Soman, Nafisa Ali, Nandita Das, Amla Akkineni, Sonal Mansingh and Rabbi Shergill also declared their support. Vandana Shiva, Yudvir Singh and members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union also participated in the protest.

Addressing the farmers, BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said GM crops were yet another attempt by corporates to take over Indian agriculture.

Rajya Sabha member K. Malaisamy and his colleagues from the AIADMK said GM crops would affect the entire country.

The protest comes at a time when regulators were considering applications for (experimental) seed production for Mahyco's Bt brinjal, the first such genetically modified vegetable in the world. Criticising the claim that GM crops were the answer to food security, the Coalition said experience with GM soyabean had shown that the largest cultivated GM crop in the world had actually shown a decrease in yields with genetic modification.