Swadeshi Jagran Manch to Write to PM Modi Against Nod to GM Mustard

New Delhi: Unhappy with the nod given to genetically modified mustard in India, the RSS affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch has decided to write to the Prime Minister and Minister for Environment and Forests Anil Dave expressing its concerns.

“There is no scientific reason to have GM mustard crop, it will be destructive for employment opportunities and biodiversity. The arguments regarding productivity are also false – experts have pointed out that it is not the best way to increase productivity. They are selling it as a swadeshi product but in reality it is a patented product,” Mahajan added.

In the ‘Niti Dialogue Paper: Understanding the governance of Niti Aayog with reference to its recommendation for GM technology’, SJM concluded, “It is unfortunate to see what the Aayog has done by supporting the GM technology without doing the ground-level work.”

In India, the only commercialised GM crop is Bt Cotton. According to critics, both industry and the government have deliberately painted a picture of its success saying it has led to an increase in production and the cost of cultivation has gone down. According to SJM, several BT cotton farmers have committed suicide.

The SJM is also preparing white papers on the influence of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation “on public health policy, in general and immunization in particular.” This is being done to “enable the government” in making an informed decision with regards to the public health. The SJM has also raised questions on BMGF’s possible ties with big pharmaceutical companies and expressed concern over “pentavalent vaccine”.

The SJM and another RSS affiliated outfit Bharatiya Kisan Sangh made representations to the government for controlling the monopoly of Monsanto and regulating the cotton seed prices. “Finally, after allowing Monsanto for decades, the government acted and regulated the cotton seed prices,” said a statement from the outfit last month. They have been wary of foreign companies “profiteering at the cost of the farmers even disregarding the law of the land.”