The Law to End Hunger Now: Food Sovereignty and Genetically Modified Crops in Tribal India-A Socio-Legal Analysis

This Article takes a socio-legal approach to analyze tribal India's current scenario related to genetically modified (GM) crops. The policies for GM crops play a critical role in India. The Article examines two recent legal frameworks: (a) the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill, 2013, and (b) the Indian National Food Security Act, 2013. The analysis using the socio-legal framework explores the dilemma of the effect of the GM food crop (Bt Brinjal/Eggplant) and GM cash crop (Bt Cotton) through the lens of one of the Scheduled Tribes-Bhil tribal men, women, and children--of India.

This Article takes the social exclusion and inclusion approach to analyze the linkages between the high suicide rates in India among smallholders and cultivation of GM crops. Indirect gender implications are significant; when men, who are generally heads of household, commit suicide, women then bear the burden of household food security. This Article highlights the significance of the legal dimensions of the right to food, and the need to reflect the social dynamics in the global discussion of GM food and cash crops vis-d-vis food sovereignty.