JOIN USBt lay in the beholders' eyes
Interestingly, there was a clear-cut demarcation in front of the corridor skirting the hall - college students, farmers, housewives, NGOs and members of the Popular Front of India blocked the way and raised slogans. For over three hours, the protesters sweated it out for the cause and also educated many policemen who were deputed on duty, on the genetically modified vegetable.
On the whole, it was a protest with a difference. A few youths were also seen holding placards supporting the technology and saying 'Bt Brinjal … a sign of prosperity’.
On Saturday morning, many persons costumed as brinjals were seen outside the venue, signboards hanging around their necks reading 'Don't Kill Us', ‘Don't Experiment on Us’, ‘Scientists Don't Play the Game of Destruction’, ‘Genetic Engineering is not Science’ etc.
On the other hand, umpteen varieties of local eggplants were on display on the steps of the venue. However, many youngsters were educated with regard to the varieties available in the State ---- Ramagula Badane, Musuku Badane, Erangere Badane, Ramapura Badane, Gomukha Badane, Neeli Badane, Betageri Badane, Dodda Mullina Badane, Motte Badane, Heduru Gulla Badane and many more.
The news of Former Prime Minster Deve Gowda's participation in the debate created more flutter, and more headaches for the men in khaki. Once JD(S) spokesperson Dutta arrived and confirmed the news, protesters who had gone out for coffee returned to start afresh, with their voice hitting the roof. The cops had the intelligence to escort Gowda into the auditorium via the back entrance.
Many locked horns with the policemen and exchanged words. A section of farmers lost their cool and pounced on Police Inspector Manjunath and when the situation was about to go out of hands, a senior police officer intervened and pacified the crowd.
More than a dozen farmers who sneaked into the audiotorium in an attempt to stage a protest were bodily carried out to a waiting police van. They were released later. Police confirmed to Deccan Herald that "under Section 71 of Karnataka Police Act (precautionary measures) we were forced to arrest some of them."
