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Intelligence Bureau (IB), an intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India in a report dated 3rd June, 2014 has warned that a significant number of NGOs including anti genetically modified organism (GMO) activists and NGOs funded by foreign countries are stalling Indian Development Projects.
The report has mentioned five activists and six NGOs running anti GMO campaign. It says that these NGOs and activists are stalling mega industrial projects like POSCO and Vedanta.
Who are they?
As per the report, anti GMO activism in India was initiated by Vandana Shiva (Navadanya; Consultant, Greenpeace, Australia) and was followed by Suman Sahai of Gene Campaign by filing PIL in the Supreme Court of India in 2004 and 2007. Subsequently Aruna Rodrigues also filed a PIL in 2005 and Kavitha Kuruganti (Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture- ASHA and India For Safe Food- IFSF) also joined the campaign. Karuna Raina runs the anti GM campaign for Greenpeace as mentioned in the report.
Referring the Parliamentary Standing Committee (August, 2009) and Technical Expert Committee appointed by the Supreme Court (October 7, 2012) recommendation of ban/moratorium of Bt Brinjal, the report says that these NGOs were active facilitators of news articles, liaison with other activists and social media activism which contributed to the three year old moratorium on Bt Brinjal.
IB Praises Pro- GMO researchers
Further report says, In 2008, Ronald Herring from Cornell University had accused anti GMO activists of spreading the falsehood that hundreds of sheep and cattle had died after eating Bt Cotton leaves. Pro GM researchers, bio-tech companies and other field enquiries have not been able to verify any such deaths, raising questions on the credibility and integrity of reports generated by these activists.
Protest against the report
However, a number of prominent citizens and activists registered their protest against the report of Intelligence Bureau. Greenpeace India also responded to the report and dismissed accusations levelled by the
Intelligence Bureau that it was foreign funded and it aimed at stalling
development.
IB tracking NGOs criticizing nuclear power, GMOs etc. Say they hold up development. Report submitted to PMO. Where is this headed ?
— Dr Suman Sahai (@SumanSahai) June 8, 2014
Why Greenpeace is anti GMOs?
Greenpeace India through a press release has explained, why Greenpeace is anti GMOs? "It's so far been an unpredicatble technology and once the GMOs are released in the environment, it can't be controlled or called back. While the IB accuses us of representing foreign interests, GMO technology is being pushed in India by US multinationals like Monsanto. Several respected scientists, experts and bodies such as
Several
respected
scientists,
experts
and
bodies
such
as
Parliamentary
Standing
Committee
and
the
Supreme
Courtappointed
panel
of
experts
has
recommended
a
moratorium
on
GM
technologyand
a precautionary
approach
to
GM
technology.
Many
countries
across
the world restrict
GM
food
crops.
India
does
not
need
GMOs
for
food
security
–we
already
produce
enough
food
to
feed
our
population
and
the
challenge
lies
in
setting
up
efficient
distribution
systems.
Instead
of
investing
in
false
solutions
such
as
GMOs,
the
government
should
focus
on
rejuvenating
our
natural
resources
through
ecological
agriculture
practices
which
is
critical
to
ensure
food security
of
the
country", said Greenpeace India through a press release.
Which law of the land they have broken?
"In my opinion, the only legitimate issue, whether with foreign or
domestic NGOs, or foreign or domestic individuals, or foreign or
domestic institutions, is if any law is broken. Unfortunately, in its
21-page report, the IB is silent on laws being broken, but explosive in
wearing its own righteous ideology on its ever so arrogant sleeve". Writes, Surjit S Bhalla, chairman of Oxus Investments in his column 'No Proof Required : In Defense of Greenpeace' in The Indian Express.
All NGOs named here may not have broken any law of the land line, but surely have delayed progress in agriculture by using very trick possible to delay and frustrate technology purveyors. Their actions are surely anti-national, anti-progress and anti-farmer.
ReplyDeletePerhaps more awareness is required about pro-GM technology, its benefit and significance. Off-course we should be concerned to their negative impact if any.
DeleteThe IB report vindicates our apprehension about some of the NGOs which have been unleashing false hood and fictitious allegations against any technology which has the potential to benefit the society and nations economy. Farmers like me started doubting their intentions as these NGOs continued their rumor mongering 24x7 , even after their allegations were proved to be lacking scientific merits. We trust science and not myths.
ReplyDeleteBy this definition, the Opposition during UPA regime delayed and stalled tabling of important bills in the Parliament. They should be surely anti-national, anti-progressive and anti-farmer, not I mean anti-people. Please do not forget Shanthu, that this same opposition is now a ruling party. Please be careful while using the terms
ReplyDeleteThe problem with most NGOs is they can state whatever they want without being held accountable. Whether it is true or not does not matter at all. If a state body or a listed company would do that, the people in charge would face trial for misleading the public, the shareholders, etc.
ReplyDelete