The Centre has put on hold field trials of genetically-modified (GM) crops following pressure from the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) and the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), affiliates of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). A delegation of the two organisations met Environment and Forest Minister Prakash Javadekar to convey their protest against the green signal given by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) on July 18 for field trials of 15 GM crops, including rice, mustard, cotton, chickpea and brinjal.
Javadekar assured them that “the decision about field trials of GM crops had been put on hold,” a statement issued by SJM co-convenor Ashwani Mahanjan said. Javadekar confirmed the meeting with the RSS-affiliated bodies but held that the government has not taken any decision on the issue. “Government has not taken any decision on the issue. It will not take any decision in haste,” he said. The GEAC’s decision to allow field trials of 15 GM crops had also been criticised by parties such the DMK and activists opposed to the introduction of such crops in India.
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