New Delhi: The move by US beverage and snacks giant PepsiCo, to take legal action against the farmers of India for copyright infringement has taken a political turn. The local arm of PepsiCo took Indian farmers of Gujarat to court for allegedly infringing a patent by growing a particular variety of potato.
Post the BJP and Congress expressed their discontent over this move by the New York headquartered maker of Mirinda, Mountain Dew and Lay potato chips for the act, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), an arm of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), on Monday criticized the MNCs move to take legal action against the farmers.
SJM head Ashwani Mahajan said, “This is nothing but an act of extortion by PepsiCo. Seeds, plants and lives cannot be patented. PepsiCo move is highly illegal and unethical and it will be in their own interest, not the farmers’, to resolve the issue amicably. We will take care of our farmers.”
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According to PepsiCo India, the peasants were growing FC5 potato variety used to manufacture Lay potato chips. However, the company is ready to settle the issue cordially; the farmers sought time till June 12 to respond.
Mahajan also warned the company that their move has set a wrong standard that may be followed by other MNCs to pressurize Indian farmers to fall in with their demands.
The PepsiCo spokesperson said, “PepsiCo continues to maintain that they may become part of its collaborative potato farming programme. This programme gives them access to higher yields, enhanced quality, training in bestin-class practices and better price. In case, they do not wish to join this program, they can simply sign an agreement and grow other available varieties of potatoes.”