Kerala CM Achuthanandan on fast seeking endosulfan ban

Mangalore Today News Network

Thiruvananthapuram, April 26: Kerala chief minister V S Achuthanandan led a day-long fast demanding nation-wide ban on the polluting pesticide, endosulfan, here on Monday with even the BJP backing the demand. The Congress, which too has favoured a ban on the pesticide, however, kept its distance and accused Achuthanandan of politicising the issue.

Achuthanandan, 87, began his fast at 10am at Martyr’s Square here. The protest coincided with the beginning of talks in Geneva over demands for banning persistent organic pollutants. He was joined by other Kerala ministers besides leaders from CPI and RSP.

Religious leaders and members of the film fraternity, too, participated in the protest apart from writers, poets and activists. The BJP, which pledged support for the struggle, was represented by party national executive member and former Union minister of state for railways O Rajagopal.

Addressing the protesters, who turned up in large numbers, VS referred to the situation in Kasargode in northe Kerala, where hundreds have of died or born with genetic deformities because of the use of endosulfan on cashew crops of Kerala Plantation Corporation.

Hitting out at the Centre, VS criticized UPA government saying its position on the issue is of denial.