The Hindu Business Line : Misleading information

This is regarding the article on NGOs by Mr Shard Joshi, a farmer leader who, ironically of late has taken a position in favour of the WTO. Some part of his article may be true, in the case of a few NGOs, as the NGO business is now a lucrative one. But, in reality, most of the NGOs are struggling to put forward their issues and raise funds for their cause.

The author has tried to put activists in an anti-development side but at same time he forgot his position as a rajya sabha member which, many believe, may be a reward for his pro-WTO stance.

Does the author have any scientific basis to deny the ill-effects of GM seeds on the human body, the environment and biodiversity? Does he think that the controls on seed will remain with the farmers in case they switch to GM seeds. How can he claim the success of Bt cotton when the maximum farmers’ suicides happened in the Bt cotton growing area?

He is making serious allegations against those who are fighting the entry of GMOs, saying they are being funded by pesticide companies. Does he have any proof of this?

Turning the charge on its head, the author may well be accused of being ‘funded’ by the companies that are promoting GM crops in the country.

But such arguments are childish and take the focus away from the real issue. It is more important to seriously discuss the pros and cons of GMOs rather than trying to mislead the country.

Utkarsh Sinha Lucknow

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