US-based activists and representatives from the Indian Association of Occupational Health (IAOH) called for a ban on all activities relating to mining, manufacture, use and trade in asbestos at a symposium held on February 2, 2001 in New Delhi. The seminar became a battleground for pro and anti-asbestos groups. "It is a needless campaign by a select group as well as US-based activists against the industry,' said an agitated representative from the industry. The seminar also witnessed a series of heated allegations and counter-allegations between the medical community and representatives from the Union government.

"The asbestos industry tried to stop the session from being held and had threatened injunction against IAOH for holding the workshop. They also objected to the title of the workshop