Protesters fighting food corruption the Anna way

Greenpeace activists are now protesting against GM crops and opposing the controversial Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill; around 50,000 people have backed the protest on the Internet

The platform created by Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement is giving the public a gateway to protest against various forms of corruption and is proving to be a boon. Now, Greenpeace activists are protesting against food corruption in the country and are opposing the controversial Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill, which legalises genetically modified (GM) crops.

Food for thought: Greenpeace activists protest against the Bill

Activists have taken to the streets and their protest is also causing ripples in the virtual world and has gathered support of over 50,000 people online. The petition against the Bill, considered by activists to be a threat to food safety, will now be sent to the Prime Minister.

"The idea of tabling this Bill would mean that the government wants to curb public resistance and give clearance for the use of GM crops. Passing the Bill without drafting it in the public domain is absolutely undemocratic," said Kapil Mishra, sustainable agriculture campaigner, Greenpeace. Members of Parliament have also opposed the Bill by writing to the Speaker, mounting pressure on the government to review it before tabling it in the House.

What it does
Farmers, consumers, scientists and various civil society groups had earlier opposed the BRAI Bill 2011.
"There have been scientific reports, which talk about the risks related to GM crops. The proposed regulatory system would not at all look at food safety. Furthermore, the proposed committee of three scientists are themselves responsible for developing the crop. Asking them to regulate the safety of these crops will give rise to a conflict of interests," ascertained Dr G V Ramanjaneyulu Ramoo, an agricultural scientist from the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Hyderabad.

In addition, farmers are carrying out a silent protest across India. "Farmers, who form almost 70 per cent of our population, will be affected if the Bill is passed. Multinational companies acquiring patents for these crops would gain monopoly. They would further get their own royalty on the produce of these crops, which would mean that the prices would rise too. The common man would be bearing the brunt of the adamant nature of the government," said Ramoo.

Thwarting protest
"We as food consumers are protesting against this Bill because it will bring about a system that prioritises market needs. If GM crops are going to be cleared as safe, when in effect they are toxic, it would not only harm the health of consumers, but farmers would also face losses. The soil will get degraded and pests will increase," said Kavitha Kuruganti, convenor, Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA).
She added, "The Bill will also take away powers from the hands of various state governments and place authority at the Centre."

Action plan
Activists in Kerala, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Paschimbanga have already voiced their discontent. Now, they plan to take the issue up with the Central government.