Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Senior virologist Shahid Jameel has quit from a government-established forum of scientific advisers to detect variants of the COVID-19.
According to the official report while criticizing the government he stated that – “It’s correct and I shall have nothing more to say.” He recently raised questions about the authorities handling the second wave of the Covid pandemic.
He further stated that he is not obliged to give any of the reason, he said via a text message to news agency Reuters, adding that he relinquished his position.
The official report further stated that recently he said that scientists in India are up against stubborn response to evidence-based policymaking. He even pointed out the issues with India’s COVID-19 management, especially the lower testing, slow pace of vaccination, vaccine shortage and the need for a bigger healthcare workforce.
He also stated that all of these measures have wide support among my fellow scientists in India. But they are facing stubborn resistance to evidence-based policymaking.
He also stated that on April 30, over 800 Indian scientists appealed to the prime minister, demanding access to the data that could help them further study, predict and curb this virus. Decision-making based on data is yet another casualty, as the pandemic in India has spun out of control. The human cost we are enduring will leave a permanent scar.
While stating about the second wave of the Covid-19 Jameel stated that this comes as a setback for the government’s efforts against the COVID-19 as the country is currently reeling under the severe second wave of the pandemic. Three particular variants, i.e. the UK, Brazil, and South Africa are currently dominating in India. At last report, of about 15,000 virus sequences, 11 per cent comprised of these VOCs. Among these B.1.1.7 dominates in India with B.1.351 found mainly in West Bengal. Only 2 or 3 P.1 VOCs are detected so far.
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