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Brinjal bhartha! Activists go on fast |
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By: Hemal Ashar |
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Date:
2010-01-31 |
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Place: Mumbai |
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Protest over the genetically modified version of the veggie
Going on an empty stomach, all for a brinjal. Yet the Bt Brinjal busters had a reason to protest against the Genetically Modified (GM) vegetable. The protest took place at the Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal (above the Gandhi Book Centre) at Nana Chowk on Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.
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Lajpat Dhingra, Sreedevi Lakshmikutti, Neesha Noronha at Bhaji Gali |
The volunteers who had gathered to observe a one-day fast to protest against Bt Brinjal said, "Today is Martyrs Day and we want people to know that just as Gandhiji gave us independence from the British, we want freedom from multinational (MNCs) seed companies which are bringing in GM crops."
They added, "Today, we remember Gandhiji and Hind Swaraj. We fast because if we believe in the true meaning of Swaraj, we should not let India's farmers lose control over their seed and agriculture, and citizens to lose control over the food they eat."
The protest group went to the adjacent bhaji galli in the afternoon. "We drafted a letter in Hindi to sensitise vendors about the issue," said Sreedevi Lakshmikutty, a member. An artist, Jyoti Kolcee drew brinjals on the letter so that the vendors could understand better. They said, "Some vendors had heard about Bt Brinjal, others promised to write a letter to environment minister Jairam Ramesh. We were happy we could create awareness right down to the grassroots."
| What is the Bt Brinjal? |
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Bacillus Thuringiensis Brinjal is a genetically modified strain created by Indian seed company Mahyco in collaboration with American multinational Monsanto. Early last year, France-based Committee for Independent Research and Information on Genetic Engineering has concluded that the Bt brinjal is harmful for animals and humans. | |
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