Full Hearing on 4G in SC – Check Now
Ahmadi: There’s a difference. When there is no lockdown & govt restricts internet, it’s an Article 19 issue. But during a #lockdown due to a #Pandemic, if the government imposes internet the health issues also have to be balanced…. It’s an Article 21 issue
Bench: The specific stand taken in the affidavit is that there are more than 1 lakh broadband connections in J&K. Total number of broadband connections in J&K account for less than 1% of the total internet connections…..
Ahmadi reading a report which says 2G internet takes more than 50% more time to load information than 4G. J. Ramana: 4G is very fast compared to 2G. No one is disputing that. Ahmadi: Govt affidavit has denied it. They say there are a lot of activities which you can do on 2G.
J. Ramana– There is no dispute about that 4G is very fast compared to 2G. Ahmadi– The govt affidavit has denied it. They say there are a lot of activities which you can do on 2G. They say you can download youtube video.
“If today you want to see a youtube video, consult a doctor, even if you want to access the court, the VidYo app for an SC hearing, everything requires a 4G network connection” Ahmadi
Bench to Ahmadi: We have seen the Govt affidavit. It says issues are being taken care of. Need not go through every affidavit in such minute manner over video call.
“Doctors say that practicing medicine during #pandemic needs 4G. Ahmadi now reading out a report which quotes “across the world, doctors are trying to consult with patients online to reduce contact”
“Restrictions of Internet speed in #JammuAndKashmir violates rights under Article 19 and also 21 of the Constitution because it has a bearing on the “Right to Access Healthcare through the Internet” – Ahmadi submis
“Right to access for doctors is inherent under Article 21. Deprivation of fundamental rights has to be judged in light of the fact that there’s a #pandemic & restrictions have been placed on people to access a doctor and on children to access a school” – Ahmadi
Ahmadi: The internet speed restriction has led to problems being faced by doctors who cannot access information about Covid treatment which is extremely necessary. Almost 75 doctors have also made a Representation to the J&K govt flagging the same concerns.
Ahmadi: In J&K, as on today there are 701 #COVID19 cases and 8 deaths. When this petition was filed there were about 33 cases. Today it has escalated. We have made repeated Representation to the govt.
SG Tushar Mehta: “There are other areas in the country [apart from #JammuAndKashmir] where there is either no internet or only 2G is available. There is no information of someone dying of #COVID19 because they didn’t have #internet access!
Justice Ramana to Ahmadi : “Facts & dates are not in dispute. Mr. Ahmadi, you highlight the issues” Attorney General KK Venugopal for Centre: “It is the issue of violation of Fundamental Right to education that we are disputing”
Fresh Instructions on Lockdown measures w.e.f. 4 May 2020
India Covid19 Update: 2553 new cases, 72 deaths reported in the last 24 hours
JEE, NEET exams dates on 05 May 2020
SC Will Hear around 11 AM on 4G in J&K