Summary:
Mumbai: A reference book for the second-year MBBS students in Maharashtra has been withdrawn after objections were raised over some part its contents that allegedly linked the Tablighi Jamaat’s congregation in New Delhi last year to the outbreak of coronavirus, an official said on Friday.
The authors of the third edition of the book titled ‘Essentials of Medical Microbiology’ also tendered an apology in this connection.
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Mumbai: A reference book for the second-year MBBS students in Maharashtra has been withdrawn after objections were raised over some part its contents that allegedly linked the Tablighi Jamaat’s congregation in New Delhi last year to the outbreak of coronavirus, an official said on Friday.
The authors of the third edition of the book titled ‘Essentials of Medical Microbiology’ also tendered an apology in this connection.
The Students Islamic Organisation had raised objections over the book’s claim.
The organisation said there is no epidemiological study that establishes COVID-19 spread was accelerated because of the congregation of Tablighi Jamaat.
After the objections, the book’s authors – Dr Apurba Sastry and Dr Sandhya Bhat – apologised “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A government official confirmed that the book has been withdrawn.