Bharat Ratna MS Swaminathan had backed 'Swadeshi' stand on GM crops

Dr MS Swaminathan was instrumental in the founding of the Green Revolution in India.

Sanghnomics is a weekly column that tracks down and demystifies the  economic world view of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and  organisations inspired by its ideology.

The Bharat Ratna award for Dr MS Swaminathan is much more than merely being a gesture to woo the southern voters. Rewind a little bit and one would understand how Dr Swaminathan played an important role in endorsing the stand of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-inspired organisations on the crucial issue of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops.

After his demise, the RSS-inspired organisation Swadeshi Jagaran Manch(SJM) issued an official press statement praising his stand on Genetically Modified (GM) crops. It might have come as a surprise to many but the fact is that Swaminathan, SJM, and another RSS-inspired organisation – Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) – were on the same page on the issue of GM crops.

Good Science vs Bad Science

SJM, which is known for its advocacy of Swadeshi economics, when it comes to policy frameworks had this to say about Dr Swaminathan in September 2023:  “Generally, it’s seen that scientists of any clan remain blind to the environmental and health impact of any new invention or discovery. However, Dr Swaminathan was a scientist, who could distinguish between a good and a bad science.

Since late 1990s and early 2000, a group of scientists, called GM scientists, had been pleading for introduction of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO). But Swaminathan refused to accept these GM seeds, unless it’s proved beyond doubt that these seeds are not harmful for health and environment.”

“He raised serious concerns about these GM seeds. In an article published in a peer reviewed journal authored by Dr Swaminathan and his co-author,  (they) had said, ‘There is no doubt that GE (genetically engineered) Bt cotton has failed in India. It has failed as a sustainable agriculture technology and has, therefore, also failed to provide livelihood security for cotton farmers who are mainly resource-poor, small and marginal farmers,” according to the paper,’ …The precautionary principle (PP) has been done away with and no science-based and rigorous biosafety protocols and evaluation of GM crops are in place.”

The SJM noted that Swaminathan “was not just raising concerns over GM seeds, but was also fulfilling his ‘scientist’s dharma’. However, he had to face the wrath of GM fundamentalists, who see nothing beyond their laboratory.”

It may be noted that SJM and another Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), that works with farmers, and is considered to be the largest farmers’ organisation of the country are not in favour of introducing GM crops. They have repeatedly intervened to check the introduction of GM Mustard in India’s farm sector and have been highlighting the adverse impact of Bt Cotton on farmers.

Ashwani Mahajan, national convenor of the SJM, had made an interesting observation while paying homage to Dr Swaminathan after his demise as he explained how Dr Swaminathan was targeted for his stand on GM crops, “One such GM fundamentalist, Channa Prakash said, ‘It is sad that Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, who has contributed to India through the green revolution, knows the value of biotech more than most people, is now pandering to the anti-GMO crowd, sounding more like Vandana Shiva! Not sure if he really means this?’

This led to confusion for a while whether Dr Swaminathan had supported GMO. But according to Mahajan,  Dr Swaminathan sent a personal message to him via X, formerly Twitter, to the effect that he stood by one of his reports on this issue. Dr Swamintahan stated, “Dear Ashwani, I thank you for your comment on GM crops. I give below my recommendation in a report submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture in the Year 2004. The bottom line of our national agricultural biotechnology policy should be the economic well-being of farm families, food security of the nation, health security of the consumer, biosecurity of agriculture and health, protection of the environment and the security of national and international trade in farm commodities.”

Pushback Against GM Mustard

Both SJM and BKS have made their stand clear on GM crops that they are not in its favour. In November 2022, both the organisations made an intervention when there were indications that the Centre might give a go ahead for GM Mustard crops based on recommendations of a government regulatory body.

In a joint statement issued in November 2022, they had categorically said that they have sought intervention of the Union Environment and Forests Minister Bhupender Yadav to “ensure that no GM mustard seed is allowed to be planted, now or ever”.  They also came down heavily on the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee that had given a nod to GM Mustard for cultivation in farmers’ fields in the country.

SJM said in an official statement, “The regulators are joining hands with GM crop developers and are time and again compromising the regulatory regime quite seriously, and they have done so with this GM mustard also.”  Both the organisations also dismissed the claim that “GM Mustard is Swadeshi and has been developed in India.”

Arun Anand has written two books on the RSS. His X handle is: @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.