New Delhi (26.04.2010): The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) demanded a strong and firm stand from the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh in favour of the ban on ‘Endosulfan’ at the current meeting of the Stockholm Convention.

The Secretary General of SIO, PM Salih was addressing a gathering during the anti-endosulfan demonstration at Jantar Mantar after the protest march from Kerala House to Jantar Mantar. He expressed surprise and grief that though majority countries during the 6th Meeting of Stockholm Convention called for a ban on Endosulfan, India opposed this move. Salih reiterated, “More than 80 countries in the world today have banned the manufacture, sales and use of endosulfan due to its ill effects, but India is yet to take a decision.” He further said, “We demand the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh should take a firm stand and favour the ban of Endosulfan”.

Prof. A.K. Ramakrishnan, professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Rama Pillai from the Greenpeace Foundation, Mohd. Akhlaq of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, Ravi Agarwal from Toxicon Link, Adv Shakir Jamil, Adila Shoaib, P.K. Noufal of the Solidarity Youth Movement, Kerala and Anis-ur-Rahman, Zonal President, SIO Delhi Zone spoke at the occasion.

A memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister along with 1 lakh signatures collected from the Indian expatriates in Saudi Arabia by Thanima Kala Samskarika Vedi in favour of banning Endosulfan. The protest was organized jointly by Solidarity Youth Movement – Kerala, Students Islamic Organisation of India, Association for Protection of Civil Rights, Delhi Malayali Solidarity and other organizations.