MBBS book that linked Tablighi event to COVID-19 outbreak withdrawn
A reference book for the second-year MBBS students in Maharashtra has been withdrawn after objections were raised over some parts of its contents that allegedly linked the congregation of Tablighi Jamaat (TJ) in Delhi'>New Delhi last year to the outbreak of coronavirus. The authors of the third edition of the book titled Essentials of Medical Microbiology also tendered an apology in this connection.
What did the book say about the congregation?
Pondering upon the COVID-19 situation in India (as of August 2020), the book said, "Subsequent to the Tablighi Jamaat, a religious congregation that took place in Delhi's Nizamuddin Markaz Mosque in early March 2020, there was an explosive outbreak of COVID-19 with 4,000 cases."
Students Islamic Organization objected to the content
The Students Islamic Organization had raised objections over the book's claim. The organization said there is no epidemiological study that establishes that the COVID-19 spread was accelerated because of the congregation of Tablighi Jamaat. The Tablighi Jamaat congregation was held at Nizamuddin Markaz in the national capital in March last year.
Necessary changes will be made in the new edition
After the objections, the book's authors Dr. Apurba Sastry and Dr. Sandhya Bhat, apologized "if they inadvertently hurt the sentiments of a group of people." The authors have also assured that necessary changes will be made in the new edition. A government official confirmed that the book has been withdrawn. The organization welcomed the decision to withdraw the reference book.
Cases filed against several Tablighi Jamaat members were dismissed
To recall, several people, who attended the congregation, had contracted COVID- 19. Several attendees were later arrested and faced legal action. However, the court had later dismissed the cases saying there was no evidence behind the allegations of these members being coronavirus spreaders.
