The much debated 5G implementation throughout the globe is the next big thing in the world of communications and technology and is expected to revolutionise the way we use smartphones, enjoy zero-latency gaming, harness the power of the Internet of Things, and make VR gaming a reality in India. 5G mainly works in 3 bands, namely low, mid and high-frequency spectrum — all of which have their own uses as well as limitations. On par with the global players, India had, in 2018, planned to start 5G services as soon as possible, with an aim to capitalise on the better network speeds and strength that the technology promised. The launching process of the 5G technology has been under process for a few good months and is expected to launch in India maybe by 2022.
Meanwhile, Bollywood actor Juhi Chawla, who has been actively creating awareness on harmful effects of radiofrequency (RF) radiation, has filed a lawsuit against implementation of 5G mobile technology in India. The actor said that the 5G technology exposes people and animals to RF radiation that is 10 to 100 times greater than it exists today. Chawla on Monday approached the Delhi High Court against the setting up of 5G wireless networks in the country, raising issues related to the radiation impact on citizens, animals, flora and fauna. Chawla said if the telecommunications industry’s plans for 5G come to fruition, no person, no animal, no bird, no insect and no plant on Earth will be able to avoid exposure, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to levels of RF radiation that are 10x to 100x times greater than what exists today.
The actor further said, “We are not against the implementation of technological advancements. On the contrary, we enjoy using the latest products that the world of technology has to offer, including in the field of wireless communications. However, whilst using the latter kind of devices, we are in a constant dilemma, because after doing our own research and studies regarding the RF radiation from wirefree gadgets and network cell towers, we have sufficient reason to believe that the radiation is extremely harmful and injurious to the health and safety of the people.”
Justice C Hari Shankar, before whom the matter came up for hearing, transferred the suit to another bench for hearing on June 2.
Advocate Deepak Khosla filed the suit, sought a direction to the authorities to certify to the public at large, that 5G technology is safe to humankind, man, woman, adult, child, infant, animals and every type of living organism, flora and fauna.
The statement by Juhi’s spokesman added that 5G plans threaten to provoke “serious, irreversible effects on humans and permanent damage to all of the Earth’s ecosystems”.
“The accumulated clinical evidence of sick and injured human beings, coupled with experimental evidence of damage to DNA, cells and organ systems in a wide variety of plants and animals, further coupled with epidemiological evidence which supports the conclusion that the major diseases of modern civilization – cancer, heart disease and diabetes – are, in large part, caused by electromagnetic pollution, stems from a literature-base comprising of over 10,000 (ten thousand) peer-reviewed studies, a number much, much, much too large to be ignored,” it added.
Chawla’s spokesperson said that the suit has been instituted to seek direction to the “arrayed defendants” to certify that 5G technology is safe for humans and every type of living organism and to produce their studies regarding RF radiation in support.
