Mass Poisoning at Karnataka Temple Sheds Light on a Deadly Old Pesticide
In a chilling turn of events, a batch of food blessed at a Hindu temple in Karnataka turned deadly, claiming the lives of at least 15 worshippers and sending over a hundred others rushing to the nearest hospitals. The culprit? The long‑discussed pesticide monocrotophos, infamous for its nerve‑poisoning effects.
What the Police Found
- The U.S. who summoned this chemical over a decade ago is still in use in India.
- Lab reports on food leftovers and vomit confirmed the presence of monocrotophos.
- Investigation is underway to determine how the substance seeped into the tomato rice, with police hinting that foul play cannot be ruled out.
- Authorities have detained a few suspects, but no exact number of arrests has yet been released.
A History of Tragedy
- Back in 2013, monocrotophos caused the death of 23 schoolchildren in Bihar when cooking oil had been stored in a container previously used for the pesticide.
- The World Health Organization warns that ingesting only 120 mg (roughly five grains of rice) can be fatal.
- Despite these dangers, a 2009 UN report urged India to ban the chemical — a move that many U.S., EU, and other Asian countries have already enacted.
India’s Stubborn Stance
While most of the world has outlawed monocrotophos, India continues to allow it for non‑vegetable crops because of its cost‑effectiveness and efficacy.
- It comes at a price of roughly 50 rupees (about 97 SGD) per kilogram.
- Alternatives can be as pricey as 20,000 rupees.
- Officials claim that the pesticide is “safe” when practiced correctly—and as long as it isn’t used on vegetables.
Why the Pesticide Still Persists
Investors point to its versatility— controlling everything from aphids to caterpillars, mites, moths, and even locusts in staples like cotton, rice, and sugarcane.
Symptoms of Poisoning
Those affected often experience:
- Excessive sweating
- Feeling of nausea and vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Foam at the mouth
The latest temple tragedy underscores a crux: balancing crop protection with public safety remains a tightrope act, especially when cheap chemicals persist in a world leaning toward greener solutions. With a wave of protests and a growing awareness of the risks, the hope is that India will heed the global calls and step away from monocrotophos while safeguarding both farmers and the next generation of devotees.
