Dave was due to take an important decision on the cultivation of a genetically modified variety of mustard. Prior to his untimely demise, he had met a delegation of organisations representing farmers, scientists, consumers and activists who together, had been resisting the approval of GM mustard by the current government. After the meeting, the delegation had claimed that Dave assured them that he would highlight their concerns at the ‘right platform'.
Prime Minister Modi tweeted saying that Dave's passing was a “personal loss". Many other ministers such as Vasundhara Raje, Smriti Irani and Kiren Rijju also offered their condolences, expressing regret and shock over Dave's sudden demise.
The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government has declared a two-day mourning in light of the unfortunate incident. Meanwhile, the Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, has been given additional charge of the Environment Ministry.
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