Solidarity and One-Day Fasting against Endosulfan

We, Friends of Kerala Shastra-Sahitya Parishad, UAE, hereby extend our solidarity to the Anti-Endosulfan movement launched in Kerala and have decided to observe a day of fasting on April 25 along with our fellow-beings in the Kerala state. Savings generated from the One day fast would be sent to victims of Endosulfan.

Endosulfan, the ultimate pesticide with serious ecological and health hazards have already been banned in more than 60 countries, though it still receives patronage from countries like India and China.

Stockholm Convention is due to commence in Geneva from April 25-29 and an international ban of Endosulfan is being proposed for consideration. Meanwhile, though not surprising, India is busying herself to voice against the ban and continues to distance herself from banning the pesticide in other states of India.

Various reports and studies have come out in the last few decades proving the hazardous nature of this pesticide and in our own states of Kerala and Karnataka, we have amidst us, innumerable living and perishing victims of this pesticide. Many more have left us forever. Still, we have been left with our own political pygmies like Jairam Ramesh and Sharad Pawar at the helm, who are intent on making a mockery of peoples movement.

These ministers serve the interests of the corporate powers who have been influencing and controlling our country from the 90s and especially during the last two stints of UPA government. They are the humble servants of a corporate sector which infuse our society with 30 billion dollar business of pesticides, and all in the name of neo-liberalization, development and re-structuring.

Now it is high time that we unite against these corporate powers and its shameless advocates. Coming few days would be crucial. Political and Civil groups should take up struggle to get Endosulfan totally banned in India and to pressurize India to stand for global ban of Endosulfan at Stockholm and also to ensure proper compensation for the victims of this inhuman pesticide.

We request you to spread this message from Friends of Kerala Sastra-Sahithya Parishad (KSSP) and urge your friends and relatives to join in this struggle and one day fasting of 25 April 2011