RSS’ outfits Swadesh Jagaran Manch, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh oppose field trials

NEW DELHI: RSS-backed outfits, Swadesh Jagaran Manch ( SJM) and the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), have opposed a recent decision by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), which falls under the ministry of environment, to approve field testing of genetically modified food crops. The move, they say, is violative of the BJP’s election manifesto released on April 7.

“BJP in its manifesto, had said that trials for GM crops would be allowed only after an examination of whether it was safe or not. What happened to that promise on July 18th when the GEAC met,” asked Ashwini Mahajan, professor of economics in Delhi University and All-India convenor of the SJM. The BKS has sought time from both environment minister Prakash Javadekar and agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh on the matter.