GM mustard, domestic workers' rights dominate final day of BJY in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Genetically Modified Mustard issue and domestic workers' rights dominated Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra on the 56th day on Wednesday,

Rythu Swarajya Vedika (RSV) met Rahul Gandhi and discussed the issue of permission for environmental release and seed production of hazardous, herbicide-tolerant Genetically Modified (GM) Mustard.

"We shared various concerns with respect to the approval process by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), wherein the tests are designed by the applicants themselves, and approvals are given without the completion of additional tests prescribed by GEAC. We mentioned GM Mustard as being herbicide tolerant. Glufosinate and herbicide are sold by BASF, the world's biggest chemical manufacturer," said Sree Harsha Thaneeru, RSV member.

He said Rahul Gandhi asked them who the developers of the seed are. "We explained that while the present GM hybrid mustard was developed by Delhi University, the gene is patented by BASF - the same company which also produces glufosinate. Rahul Gandhi commented on the significance of the connection between gene patents and the companies that produce harmful chemicals," he said.

Sree Harsha Thaneeru said they discussed the harmful environmental and health effects of glufosinate which will be indiscriminately used once herbicide-tolerant crops are sown.

"We recalled that when the Government of India refused to permit Bt Brinjal in 2010 when Jairam Ramesh was the Environment Minister. One of the recommendations was that herbicide-tolerant crops should not be permitted in the country. We also mentioned higher-yielding mustard varieties available in India when compared to GM Mustard and the lack of any strong reason for the development of GM Mustard in the first place," he said.

Reminding Congress about its stand on Bt brinjal, he said they requested Rahul Gandhi to make sure that state governments where Congress is in power should take a stand against open field trials of GM mustard, particularly Rajasthan which produces more than 50% of mustard in India.

"Rahul assured that he will communicate to the Rajasthan government about these concerns and request it to take appropriate action," he said.

Domestic workers

Members of Telangana Domestic Workers Union (TDWU) and Gruha Karmikula Union Telangana State (GUTS) also joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra from BHEL on Wednesday afternoon.

With raised fists, brooms, ladles, placards, flags & banners, they chanted `Nafrat Chodo, Bharat Jodo'.

"We want ESI, a separate Act for Domestic Workers, Welfare Board, repeal labor codes, dignity, and safety at the workplace, a fair living wage, compliance with ILO Convention, etc. Domestic workers are also workers and the rights of domestic workers are human rights," they said.