PRAGOTI

An article towards understanding the political-ideological roots of the GM controversy in Indian agriculture with special reference to Marxist theory and practice, is attached with this post (in PDF format). The essay begins with setting the context of the currently raging debate on BT-Brinjal and reviewing a select set of empirical assessments of BT-Cotton in India on relevant parameters. It then moves to critically examine the role of ideology in how competing political forces comprehend the food and nutrition crisis in India. It also looks at the ironical contradictions inherent in the struggle for a just, equitable and food secure India, from the left perspective. Finally, the essay elaborates on GM as a political and public policy problem in India while analysing the ideological vantage points of various participants in the debate.