The controversy surrounding GM food crops in the country shows no signs of cooling down. Even as the debate over field trials of genetically modified crops rages, a group of scientists, activists and farmers’ associations has demanded removal of a top GM researcher caught in a false patent claim. In a letter to agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, the Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture has sought action against Dr K.C. Bansal, head of India’s gene bank, for making a false claim about filing a patent on GM brinjal to grab a top award in 2009, as reported in Mail Today on October 29.