In the run-up to a visit by Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh to the city on Friday, a series of protests as well as whirl of debates are being carried out by those opposing popularization of Bt brinjal among Indian buyers.

Consumer awareness groups, non-government organizations as well as enthusiasts of the safe farming community got together to put forth strong resistance against any plan to allow the controversial brinjal variety an entry into the country. Following an announcement by the Union minister to hold public consultations before passing a final decision on Bt brinjal, prominent personalities like Padma Bhushan awardee PM Bhargava and Shiv Chopra, who fought against Bovine Growth Hormone in Canada and got it banned, held public programmes in the city against the controversial GM crop. Silent marches and dharnas are also being lined up for the coming week.

"We have been protesting against a decision to give clearance to Bt brinjal for past one year. We have been trying to make people aware of the clear and present danger that genetically modified food poses to our health," Umendra Dutt, who heads the Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM), stated. Besides this, a stimulating debate against GM crops has been going on in the cyber world. The online protest has been launched by Punjab Eco Crisis under the aegis of KVM.

The resistance had become more pronounced after the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) gave a go ahead to Bt brinjal in October 2009. A 'national day of fast' is all set to be observed on January 30 against what is being called "food colonialism and an attack on food sovereignty". "We have chosen Mahatama Gandhi's martyrdom day for observing the fast because he fought for India's self-reliance. Barely 60 years after his death, we are giving way to foreign companies that simply want control over our biggest strength, that is food," said Dutt.

Talking about the issue, RK Kaplash, head, Consumer Coordination Council, New Delhi, said, "The 2nd expert committee set up by GEAC, based on whose report an approval for environmental release of Bt brinjal was given, is no exception and mired in conflicting interests. While many of the members had directly or indirectly been involved in development of Bt brinjal, one of them is even being investigated by the Central Vigilance Commission for undue favours being given to MAHYCO, the company responsible for developing Bt brinjal."

Moreover, the committee chairman had himself confessed that he was under pressure from the agriculture ministry to give an approval for Bt brinjal. Kalpash added.