Shiv Sena Calls For Probe Into Covid-19 Origins In China, Says Country's DNA To Be Checked

As the demand for investigation in the origin of Covid-19 is again getting many supporters, from the United States President Joe Biden ordering agencies to file a report in 90 days to top scientist Peter Hotez saying that the world will face Covid-26 and Covid-32 if its roots are not investigated.

Shiv Sena has also blamed China, holding faith in the argument that the virus was leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology as per a report in Republic World.

In an editorial published in the Sena mouthpiece Saamana on Tuesday (1 June), Executive Editor Sanjay Raut underlined the importance of both the US and the United Kingdom seeking a broader investigation into the origin of the pandemic.

"There is a strict lockdown all over the world. While there is a restriction on the 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. The economies of most countries in the world are at a standstill while China's economy is on the top." Raut wrote.

An international team of 17 Chinese and 17 international experts conducted a joint study from 14 January to 10 February 2021 in Wuhan. The resultant report issued on 20 March claimed that a leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology was an "extremely unlikely" scenario.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concerns about information being withheld from the team and said that the lab leak theory required "further investigation."

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) India also issued a statement on 28 May, emphasising the need for more data, "The WHO convened global study on the origin of Covid-19 is an important first step. It stressed the need for next phase studies as also for further data and studies to reach robust conclusions. The follow up of the WHO report and further studies deserve the understanding and cooperation of all".