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New Delhi, July 18 - Dozens of green activists, dressed to pose as brinjals, Saturday held demonstrations and urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to introduce genetically modified - food in the country, saying it is a biological and health hazard.
'We want the prime minister to stop introduction of GM food in the country as it is a health and environment hazard,' said Selva from the Association of India's Development, an NGO that promotes sustainable, equitable and just development.
The agriculture ministry Tuesday announced that GM versions of tomato, brinjal and cauliflower would be introduced in the country in three years.
The NGO's volunteers, who gathered at Dilli Haat, a handicraft bazar here, also enacted a skit to educate people on this issue.
'The GM foods are created unnaturally by taking genes from unrelated organisms and inserting them into the cells of our food plants. It has been proven to cause severe adverse health affecting vital organs like kidney, liver and brain as well as environmental impacts,' Selva said.
He said people are forgetting traditional ways and the activists are reminding them about the natural way of cultivating brinjal in India and showing them the diversities available.
Selvi said they would intensify public awareness campaigns against the government's move.
India has so far allowed only genetically modified cotton.
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