Scientists ask for proofs for Union Govt's radiation-reducing cow dung chip
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New Delhi: More than 400 scientists across the country have signed an open letter to the chairman of Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA) of the Central government, seeking evidence for the claim that cow dung chip reduces radiation.
On October 13, Vallabhbhai Kathiria, chairman of the RKA, had announced the production of a "cow dung chip" capable of reducing radiation when kept on a cellphone. (Watch the video below from 8:20)
Scientists from IIT-Bombay, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, among others, asked for details of the scientific research.
"In your press conference held on 13th October 2020, you have claimed that keeping cow dung cake in homes reduces 'radiation'. You also mentioned that a 'cow dung chip' has been produced and the same can reduce radiation when kept on the cellular phone. You continued your speech claiming that all your statements are 'scientifically proven'."
"Where and when were the said scientific experiments done? Who were the principal investigators? Where were the findings published? If it was in a research journal, was it peer-reviewed?, Can the data and experimental details be provided?"
The scientists also asked how much of public funding was awarded for this research and which funding agency made the award.
The signatories of the letter sought to make all the answers public and reminded that if there are no valid data to support the claims, the press conference is against the Constitution which says, "it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform".
The signatories include Prof. Abhijit Majumder of IIT Bombay, Dr. Aniket Sule, Dr. Reetek Sud, Prof. Amol Dighe, Prof. Sudha Rajamani and others.