A toxic chemical (a weedicide or a herbicide) called Glyphosate is making huge inroads into India, primarily because regulators related to genetically modified (GM) crops as well as pesticides are simply not discharging their responsibility or fulfilling their mandate to protect citizens from associated risks, on the environmental and health fronts.

This controversial chemical is causing a great deal of concern to governments and citizens elsewhere, and is forcing them into pro-active action so that citizens may be saved from the numerous adverse impacts of Glyphosate. That is because glyphosate has been linked to probable carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, kidney and liver damage, reproductive health problems, neurological effects etc.

The Government of India, as well as state governments are turning a blind eye to the growing problem of Glyphosate in India, despite illegalities in the use of this poison. It is time citizens ensured that governments acted the way they are supposed to, to protect our interests.

Let us make sure that Glyphosate is banned in India, like in some other countries.

Let us ensure that some immediate doable steps are taken up promptly by the Centre and the States.

This is so that we and our children have a safe and sustainable environment, and that our food remains free of this toxic Glyphosate.