Whistleblower to file defamation suit against Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh for asking him to seek mental help
Whistleblower to file defamation suit against Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh for asking him to seek mental help
Santhosh Min B, who is fighting against Bt Brinjal, has decided to file a defamation suit against Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh for asking him to seek 'mental help' at a public consultation.
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Making a point: Santhosh Min B was involved in a slugfest with the minister at a meet on Saturday. Pic/Vinod Kumar T |
At a Bt Brinjal meet held on Saturday, Min, who claims to be a physiotherapist, heckled Ramesh and urged him to discuss genetic engineering as a whole, instead of singling out Bt Brinjal. This led to a slugfest and Min called the minister a 'Monsanto agent' to which Ramesh retorted,u00a0 "I am sorry, I don't want to talk to health patients and you require mental help."
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Yes Mantriji: Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh |
Insult to science
Min, who also calls himself an Ayurvedic expert, said that the public debate was a joke without any mention of genetic engineering.
"He was not aware of the Government Gazette notification that has kept 190 plants out of the bio-diversity list, only to help multi-national seed giants like Monsanto. I think he has no right to continue as the minister and he must resign," said Min.
In his defence, Min said, "I did not call him an agent of Monsanto. All that I said was that the company was a big killer and he got angry. I don't understand why he should get angry if I condemn a foreign company."
Ready to launch a lone fight against Ramesh, Min said, "The minister has insulted the scientific community. I will drag him to court not because he abused me, but because he must realise how irresponsible it is of him to make such a comment."
Been there
This is not the first time that Min has put his fighting instincts on display. He had pitched a tent in front of World Network Services, a BPO in Whitefield where he was working earlier, to protest against the management.
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This was after he was sacked for contesting parliamentary polls, held last year, without taking permission from the company. However, his 'tent sathyagraha' did not yield anything and he continues to be unemployed.
Min, who contested from Bangalore (South) as an independent candidate, had declared assets worth Rs 511, making him the poorest candidate. He lost his deposit, having polled only 1,178 votes.
