Ramesh loses his cool at Bt brinjal battle

Monday, 08 February 2010

Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh chaired a stormy session on Bt brinjal as the final nationwide consultative meet in Bangalore climaxed with pro- and anti-Bt brigades trying to have their say on the issue on Saturday.

The meet started off with farmers, civil society organisations and NGOs shouting slogans against
Bt brinjal.

At one instance, Ramesh also lost his temper when Santosh, an ayurvedic doctor, accused him of being an “agent” of Monsanto. An angry Ramesh said, “I am sorry, I don’t want to talk to health patients and you require mental help.” As the meet turned stormy, Ramesh quipped, “This is not Vidhana Soudha or Lok Sabha.” On conclusion of the meeting, which was held at the Central College campus, Ramesh was asked what his final decision on the matter would be. “I am not an extremist.
I am trying to take the middle path. Public consultations are over. My ministry will now take a decision on February 10.” Ramesh started the session with farmers from both pro- and anti groups. While the farmers vouching for Bt brinjal said it would give high yield, economic stability and would solve their financial problems, those opposed to it asserted that it is not ready for mass consumption and that if allowed it would be a disaster.

Mahesh Babu, a scientist with the horticulture department, Dharwad, created a furore by saying farmers do not need Bt technology.

Ramesh replied, “This is not the way for scientists to speak. They should not display arrogance while discussing the issue. I am trying to find a middle path.”