BT Brinjal: Jairam Ramesh gheraoed by farmers

BT Brinjal: Jairam Ramesh gheraoed

Hyderabad: Union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh was gheraoed here today by activists of the All India Kisan Sabha(AIKS), led by its leader K Ramakrishna, demanding that the Centre disallow commercial release of the gentically-modified BT Brinjal.

Confusion prevailed at the National Consultation meeting organised by the Centre for Environment Education as the activists did not allow any meaningful discussion on the pros and cons of BT Brinajal developed to curb pests like Fruit borer and shoot borer.

The Union Minister's appeal to the activists to maintain calm fell on deaf ears. He would announce his decision in 10 days time duly considering the feelings of farmers, he said.

The large number of farmers and activists of the civil rights organisations holding placards shouted slogans against the gentically-modified Brinjal, disrupted the meeting organised here by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests at the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture(CRIDA).