Doesn't government feel shame to mull over commercial cultivation of GM crop?".

Baba Ramdev talks tough on BT brinjal cultivation

Lucknow: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has flayed the government for mulling over the commercial cultivation of genetically modified Bt brinjal. Talking to reporters here on Saturday, Ramdev asked: "How can a government make a mockery of its country? GM (genetically modifies) food can lead to kidney disorder, liver disorder, cancer and physical disorders among millions of Indians. Doesn't government feel shame to mull over commercial cultivation of GM crop?".

He expressed serious health concerns related to consumption of GM food. Meanwhile, activists under the banner of Greenpeace India, held a silent protest in New Delhi demanding a ban on cultivation of Bt brinjal.

"The government is holding public consultation in seven Indian cities and considering the public resistance against BT seeds, the government should ban its cultivation," said Deepak Puri, an activist.

Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh is holding a series of public consultations on the Bt brinjal issue.

Last year, Ramesh had promised additional consultations with farmers' groups, NGOs, scientists and other stakeholders before the release of Bt brinjal.

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), a panel instituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, has recommended field experiments of BT brinjal.

The GEAC, which had been instituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, has recommended field experiments of BT brinjal. A US-based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation and a Maharashtra-based Indian company market BT brinjal in India.