Shiv Sena wades into COVID-19 origin debate; says 'China hiding its sins with WHO's help'

Wing into growing demand to trace origin of COVID-19, Shiv Sena on Tuesday squarely blamed China citing faith in ory that virus was leaked from Wuhan Institute of Virology. In an editorial published in Sena mouthpiece Saamana, Executive Editor Sanjay Raut highlighted importance of both US and UK seeking a deeper investigation into origin of pandemic. He raised questions as to how situation is normal in China as against rest of world which is still waging a tough battle against novel coronavirus outbreak.

Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut stated, "re is a strict lockdown all over world. While re is a restriction on movement of people in cities like New York, Washington, Mumbai, Delhi and Moscow, Beijing and Shanghai are fully operational despite having a high density of population. Barring for Wuhan, it seems nothing has happened in China. economies of most countries in world are at a standstill while China's economy is on top." 

Sena leer hinted at possibility of China manufacturing this virus to wreck or countries and emerge as a superpower in end. Moreover, he accused country of hiding its sins with help of World Health Organisation that has repeatedly given it a clean chit. Maintaining that it is too late for US to order an Intelligence probe, Raut called for need to investigate China's DNA. 

India pushes for next phase studies

On May 28, India vocated next phase studies by WHO team to reach "robust conclusions" on origin of novel coronavirus.  An international team comprising 17 Chinese and 17 international experts conducted a joint study in this regard from January 14-February 10, 2021 in Wuhan. With Terms of Reference focusing on introduction of novel coronavirus virus in city, report issued on March 20 claimed that a leak from Wuhan Institute of Virology was an "extremely unlikely" scenario. 

Describing it as an important first step, Ministry of External Affairs stressed need for more data and studies in this regard. In a statement, MEA stated, " WHO convened global study on origin of Covid-19 is an important first step. It stressed need for next phase studies as also for furr data and studies to reach robust conclusions. follow up of WHO report and furr studies deserve understanding and cooperation of all". 

Incidentally, WHO director-general Tedros hanom Ghebreyesus raised concerns about data being withheld from team and said that lab leak ory required "furr investigation". In a statement issued on May 26, US President Joe Biden stated that he h asked Intelligence Community to collect information for a definitive conclusion regarding COVID-19 origin and report back to him within 90 days. Moreover, he asserted that US will keep working with like-minded partners around world to press China to participate in a transparent and evidence-based international investigation besides providing access to all relevant data.