You need mental help: Ramesh tells Bt protester

Bangalore, Feb 6: Environment minister Jairam Ramesh was greeted here with protests and placards spurning the Bt Brinjal as the minister commenced the national consultation meeting on the genetically modified (GM) crop.

“We don"t need Bt Brinjal," screamed a crowd of protesters, including NGO workers, activists and farmers.

The consultation, which is the last in the series, saw anger from farmers who fiercely protested against the commercial introduction of Bt Brinjal.

The minister lost his temper when a person debating against the GM crop refused to pipe down.

"You require mental help," Mr Ramesh told the protester.

When a scientist asked the ministers why farmers were resisting Bt Brinjal, Mr Ramesh said, “Scientists should not display arrogance while discussing the issue. I am trying to find a middle path, which means (between) anti-democratic nature of NGOs and arrogance of scientists."

Scientists rejected the GM crop saying that it is not ready for mass consumption.

Both sides of the debate was presented as farmers favouring the use of Bt Brinjal argued that the crops high yield would led to better economic stability of the farmers.

The final decision on the issue is expected to be taken on Feb 10.

OneIndia News