US govt funding 'dubious PR firm' to discredit anti-GM, anti-pesticide activists?

By Jag Jivan*

The Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture (ASHA) has vocally condemned the financial support provided by the US Government to what it calls questionable public relations firms aimed at undermining the efforts of activists opposed to pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in India.

ASHA said, investigations by Lighthouse Reports, shared with global media partners have unveiled that an American PR firm headed by a former Monsanto employee has been profiling and surveilling anti-GMO activists worldwide. This initiative, which involves a private social network known as “Bonus Eventus,” is only accessible to about 1,000 subscribers, including representatives from biotech and pesticide lobbying groups in India, it adds.

The platform has been tracking approximately 100 activists, scientists, and others in India, in addition to numerous individuals globally. “The US government’s relentless lobbying on behalf of the pesticide and biotech industries is well-documented. The corporate agricultural framework in America is heavily reliant on unsustainable, profit-driven technologies, supported by billions in subsidies, and seeks global acceptance for its products,” ASHA states.

Historical instances, such as leaked documents revealing US government officials in India monitoring decisions regarding Bt brinjal, highlight the problematic nature of American involvement in Indian agricultural policy-making, ASHA said. Notably, the efforts of Dr. Nina Federoff in 2010 to promote Bt brinjal exemplify the blatant lobbying efforts by the US, it adds.

Furthermore, organizations like USAID and philanthropic entities such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have been known to advocate for sustainable practices that pose risks to Indian agriculture, ASHA asserts, expressing concerns about the Indian government’s susceptibility to foreign lobbying, despite its restrictions on “foreign-funded” groups.

“We demand that the US government cease its interference in the sovereign policy matters of other nations and respect the scientifically grounded concerns raised by activists regarding harmful technologies. We also call upon V-Fluence to halt its unethical tracking and profiling of activists, and to extend an apology to those dedicated to public welfare in India,” ASHA insists.

ASHA's statement further says: “The pesticide and GM seed industries, often intertwined, feel increasingly threatened as awareness of the dangers posed by these technologies grows among citizens and governments alike, leading them to reject GM agriculture. In a bid to silence essential scientific and public discussions that highlight the need to forbid these toxic technologies, the industry has employed Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) tactics to suppress scientific research and publications."

It notes, "Our primary concern is that the Indian government may yield to the lobbying pressure and misinformation propagated by these corporations, particularly if public debate is stifled. Repeated reports indicate that international trade agreements and high-level diplomatic engagements are wielded as tools to influence the Indian government in favor of profit-oriented industries, disregarding the interests of ordinary citizens."

"Despite some encouraging announcements and budgetary allocations for promoting natural farming, GMO and pesticide promotion continues, jeopardizing India's trade prospects, including organic produce, and threatening the food safety of its populace”, ASHA adds.

---

*Freelance writer

Comments

Academics urge Azim Premji University to drop FIR against Student Reading Circle

By A Representative A group of academics and civil society members has issued an open letter to the leadership of Azim Premji University expressing concern over the filing of a police complaint that led to an FIR against a student-run reading circle following a recent incident of violence on campus. The signatories state that they hold the university in high regard for its commitment to constitutional values, critical inquiry and ethical public engagement, and argue that it is precisely because of this reputation that the present development is troubling.

Nepal votes amid regional rivalry: Why New Delhi is watching closely

By Nava Thakuria* As Nepal holds an early national election on Thursday (5 March 2026), the people of northeast India, along with other regional observers, are watching the proceedings closely. The vote was necessitated after the government of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli collapsed in September 2025 following widespread anti-government protests. The election will determine the composition of the 275-member House of Representatives, originally scheduled for 2027, under the stewardship of an interim government led by former Supreme Court justice Sushila Karki.

'Policy long overdue': Coalition of 29 experts tells JP Nadda to act on SC warning label order

By A Representative In a significant development for public health, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to seriously consider implementing mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on pre-packaged food products. The order, passed by a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan on February 10, 2026, comes as the Court expressed dissatisfaction with the regulatory body's progress on the issue.

Vaccination vs screening: Policy questions raised on cervical cancer strategy

By A Representative A public policy expert has written to Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda raising a series of concerns regarding the national Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign launched on February 28 for 14-year-old girls.

From plagiarism to proxy exams: Galgotias and systemic failure in education

By Sandeep Pandey* Shock is being expressed at Galgotias University being found presenting a Chinese-made robotic dog and a South Korean-made soccer-playing drone as its own creations at the recently held India AI Impact Summit 2026, a global event in New Delhi. Earlier, a UGC-listed journal had published a paper from the university titled “Corona Virus Killed by Sound Vibrations Produced by Thali or Ghanti: A Potential Hypothesis,” which became the subject of widespread ridicule. Following the robotic dog controversy coming to light, the university has withdrawn the paper. These incidents are symptoms of deeper problems afflicting the Indian education system in general. Galgotias merely bit off more than it could chew.

Development vs community: New coal politics and old conflicts in Madhya Pradesh

By Deepmala Patel* The Singrauli region of Madhya Pradesh, often described as “India’s energy capital,” has for decades been a hub of coal mining and thermal power generation. Today, the Dhirouli coal mine project in this district has triggered widespread protests among local communities. In recent years, the project has generated intense controversy, public opposition, and significant legal and social questions. This is not merely a dispute over one mine; it raises a larger question—who pays the price for energy development? Large corporate beneficiaries or the survival of local communities?

The new anti-national certificate: If Arundhati Roy is the benchmark, count me in

By Dr. Mansee Bal Bhargava* Dear MANIT Alumni Network Committee, “Are you anti-national?” I encountered this fascinating—some may say intimidating—question from an elderly woman I barely know, an alumna of Maulana Azad College of Technology (MACT, now Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology - MANIT), Bhopal, and apparently one of the founders of the MACT (now MANIT) Alumni Network. The authority with which she posed the question was striking. “How much anti-national are you? What have you done for the Alumni Network Committee to identify you as anti-national?” When I asked what “anti-national” meant to her and who was busy certifying me as such, the response came in counter-questions.

Minority concerns mount: RTI reveals govt funded Delhi religious meet in December

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* Indian Muslims have expressed deep concern over what they describe as rising hate speech and hostility against their community under the BJP-led government in India. A recent flashpoint was the event organised by Sanatan Sanstha titled “Sanatan Rashtra Shankhnad Mahotsav” in New Delhi on 13–14 December 2025.

From neglect to progress: The story of Ranavara’s community-led development

By Bharat Dogra Visitors to Ranavara, a remote village in Kherwara block of Udaipur district, are often surprised by its multi-dimensional progress. The village today is known for its impressive school building, regenerated pastures, expanded tree cover, and extensive water conservation and supply works. These achievements are the outcome of sustained community efforts over several years, demonstrating how small, consistent initiatives can lead to significant change.

Search This Blog