As many as 44 farmers from Pashim Odisha Krushijib Sangh (POKS) participated in the anti-GM campaign, including a dharna, on August 8 in New Delhi.
The dharna was held on the day marking the Quit India movement at Jantar Mantar which was attended by thousands of farmers, farmer organisations and civil society groups from across the nation. They gave a message to the Government to disband GM, BRAI and Monsanto from the country. The farmers held flag cards, banners, leaflets and slogans against GM, Monsanto and the Government patronising them.
Farmer leaders, civil society leaders and politicians including activist Vandana Shiva, BJP leader Murali Manohar Joshi, MP Dharmendra Pradhan and farmer leader Tikayat spoke on the occasion and opposed the BRAI Bill.
Notably, the BRAI Bill has been introduced by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology recently and is under review of the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests of the Parliament. The farmers’ forum is demanding immediate withdrawal of the Bill and its replacement by a Bio-safety Protection law.