As chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi may have extolled the virtues of genetically modified (GM) crops, after his happy experience in the state, but as prime minister, he is finding it extremely tough to carry along even his party on the issue. Encouraged, and perhaps egged on, by the RSS and affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch’s (SJM’s) opposition to GM crops, various BJP-ruled states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have upped their protest against GM mustard even though the bio-safety panel of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has approved Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 developed by the scientists led by former Delhi University vice-chancellor Deepak Pental.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-affiliated organisations are increasingly lending their voice to those at the other end of the ideological divide on certain issues where there’s a meeting of minds. These include opposition to the government’s move to sell the land of closed public sector undertakings (PSUs) and allow genetically modified (GM) seeds.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears keen on genetically modified (GM) mustard if it is found to be foolproof, despite opposition from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP’s ideological parent.

Chennai, An environmental activist from the city has filed a new writ petition at Supreme Court which is specific to the appraisal and public consultation processes being adopted for GM Mustard.

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the commercial release of Genetically Modified (GM) Mustard crop for ten days and asked the Centre to take public opinion on such seeds before releasing it for cultivation purpose, even as government approval is awaited.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in India met on August 11 this year to review a safety report by its sub-committee discussing genetically modified (GM) mustard crops and the possibility of introducing them to Indian soil. The Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 or DMH-11 is indigenously developed and, if implemented, would be the second GM crop to gain free approval for cultivation in the country. The GEAC has not granted full approval yet and instead was soliciting comment, feedback, and suggestions. The last day for submissions was October 5. With the deadline behind us, farmers, activists, and corporations alike now await a final decision.

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear a plea against commercial release of genetically modified mustard seed as it may cause irreversible damage to the domestic variety.

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear a plea seeking a stay on commercial release of genetically modified (GM) mustard crop.