US govt funding 'dubious PR firm' to discredit anti-GM, anti-pesticide activists?

By Our Representative

The Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture (ASHA) has vocally condemned the financial support provided by the US Government to what it calls questionable public relations firms aimed at undermining the efforts of activists opposed to pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in India.

ASHA said, investigations by Lighthouse Reports, shared with global media partners have unveiled that an American PR firm headed by a former Monsanto employee has been profiling and surveilling anti-GMO activists worldwide. This initiative, which involves a private social network known as “Bonus Eventus,” is only accessible to about 1,000 subscribers, including representatives from biotech and pesticide lobbying groups in India, it adds.

The platform has been tracking approximately 100 activists, scientists, and others in India, in addition to numerous individuals globally. “The US government’s relentless lobbying on behalf of the pesticide and biotech industries is well-documented. The corporate agricultural framework in America is heavily reliant on unsustainable, profit-driven technologies, supported by billions in subsidies, and seeks global acceptance for its products,” ASHA states.

Historical instances, such as leaked documents revealing US government officials in India monitoring decisions regarding Bt brinjal, highlight the problematic nature of American involvement in Indian agricultural policy-making, ASHA said. Notably, the efforts of Dr. Nina Federoff in 2010 to promote Bt brinjal exemplify the blatant lobbying efforts by the US, it adds.

Furthermore, organizations like USAID and philanthropic entities such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have been known to advocate for sustainable practices that pose risks to Indian agriculture, ASHA asserts, expressing concerns about the Indian government’s susceptibility to foreign lobbying, despite its restrictions on “foreign-funded” groups.

“We demand that the US government cease its interference in the sovereign policy matters of other nations and respect the scientifically grounded concerns raised by activists regarding harmful technologies. We also call upon V-Fluence to halt its unethical tracking and profiling of activists, and to extend an apology to those dedicated to public welfare in India,” ASHA insists.

ASHA's statement further says: “The pesticide and GM seed industries, often intertwined, feel increasingly threatened as awareness of the dangers posed by these technologies grows among citizens and governments alike, leading them to reject GM agriculture. In a bid to silence essential scientific and public discussions that highlight the need to forbid these toxic technologies, the industry has employed Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) tactics to suppress scientific research and publications."

It notes, "Our primary concern is that the Indian government may yield to the lobbying pressure and misinformation propagated by these corporations, particularly if public debate is stifled. Repeated reports indicate that international trade agreements and high-level diplomatic engagements are wielded as tools to influence the Indian government in favor of profit-oriented industries, disregarding the interests of ordinary citizens."

"Despite some encouraging announcements and budgetary allocations for promoting natural farming, GMO and pesticide promotion continues, jeopardizing India's trade prospects, including organic produce, and threatening the food safety of its populace”, ASHA adds.

Comments

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani* India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor* Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Andhra team joins Gandhians to protest against 'bulldozer action' in Varanasi

By Rosamma Thomas* November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad* The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad* On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Green Revolution’s reliance on chemical fertilizers, pesticides contributing to Punjab's health crisis

By Bharat Dogra, Jagmohan Singh* Punjab was once synonymous with robust health, particularly in its rural areas, where farmers were known for their strength and vitality. However, in recent years, reports from these villages tell a different story, with rising cases of serious health issues, including cancer. What led to this decline? The answer lies largely in the erosion of good nutrition, once a hallmark of Punjabi village life. The health of a population is closely tied to its nutrition, and Punjab's reputation as a provider of high-quality nutrition has suffered greatly. The loss of biodiversity in agriculture has led to a decrease in the variety and quality of crops, resulting in poorer nutrition. Pulses, a key source of protein, have seen a steep decline in cultivation due to the disruption of traditional farming practices by the Green Revolution. This has had a detrimental effect on both soil and human health. Although pulses are still available in the market, they are exp

Tributes paid to pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, who 'dodged' police for 60 yrs

By Harsh Thakor* Jagjit Singh Sohal, known as Comrade Sharma, a pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, passed away on October 20 at the age of 96. Committed to the Naxalite cause and a prominent Maoist leader, Sohal, who succeeded Charu Majumdar, played hide and seek with the police for almost six decades. He was cremated in Patiala.

Search This Blog