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EXCLUSIVE BANGLADESH FOREIGN MINISTER ADMITS... CRIME
TECH-SAVVY TEENS
YES, INDIA HELPED NAB MUJIB KILLER TERRORISE SCHOOLGIRLS
ZOOM’S INDIA HEAD
WARNING USERS AGAINST
US WAS UNFORTUNATE
EXCLUSIVE BEN STOKES:
BAFFLED HOW VIRAT, ROHIT
PLAYED AGAINST US
MODI’S GREAT GAMBLE
No free lunches in the biggest reforms
PLUS
CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISER
KRISHNAMURTHY SUBRAMANIAN
OUT OF THE BOX IDEAS
ON THE TABLE, TOO
P. CHIDAMBARAM
FORMER FINANCE MINISTER
THIS GOVT IS OPPORTUNISTIC
D. SUBBARAO, EX-RBI CHIEF
CRISIS THE RIGHT TIME
FOR REFORMS
VOL. 38 NO. 22 THE WEEK MAY 31 2020
FOR THE WEEK MAY 25 - MAY 31
12 52 63
GETTY IMAGES
SALIL BERA
SPECIAL REPORT EXCLUSIVE @LEISURE
India takes a big step in repairing ties In his new book, cricketer Ben Stokes With auditoriums and theatres
with Bangladesh by helping it nab remembers his World Cup journey. closed, artistes are embracing
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s killers Plus: Excerpts from the book online platforms
32 COVER STORY 18 CRIME
The Bois Locker
Room case highlights
COLUMNS
9 POWER POINT
the need to give teeth Sachidananda Murthy
to Indian cyberlaw
27 FORTHWRITE
22 GENE MUTATION Meenakshi Lekhi
New variants of the
novel coronavirus 46 DETOUR
may hamper efforts Shobhaa De
to create a vaccine 55 SOUND BITE
28 KERALA
Anita Pratap
The success of the 57 SCHIZO-NATION
fight against Covid-19 Anuja Chauhan
is also the success
GETTY IMAGES
of women empow- 74 LAST WORD
Shashi Tharoor
CRISIS MANAGEMENT erment and welfare
Union Finance Minister measure
Nirmala Sitharaman 50 BUSINESS
till October: Prem Singh
TOUGH LOVE New users were using
Zoom in an unse-
Tamang, Sikkim chief
minister
The government offers not cash, but a fighting chance. cured way: Sameer
Indians are expected to take that chance and make things Raje, India head, 58 PHOTO-FEATURE
Zoom With no customers, sad-
happen, and thereby become self-reliant. THE WEEK takes
a closer look at the grand plan and its possible risks 56 INTERVIEW dle horses survive on
No entry for tourists the kindness of a few
Plus COVER IMAGING BINESH SREEDHARAN
◆ Voices: Krishnamurthy Subramanian, chief economic Printed at Malayala Manorama Press, Kottayam, Print House India Pvt
adviser; P. Chidambaram, former Union finance Ltd, Mumbai, M P Printers, Noida, and Rajhans Enterprises, Bengaluru,
minister; D. Subbarao, former RBI governor and published from Manorama Buildings, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi-682
036, by Jacob Mathew, on behalf of the Malayala Manorama Co.Ltd.,
◆ What do the reforms in space and defence mean? Kottayam-686 001. Editor Philip Mathew
• Focus/Infocus features are paid marketing/PR initiatives
◆ The challenge for banks
2 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 3
LETTERS
The Centre’s special The government should China, the lockdown families back home by Editor Philip Mathew
financial packages, also bring investment was only in Wuhan, hanging on to their jobs. Chief Associate Editor & Director Riyad Mathew
Editor-in-Charge V.S. Jayaschandran
announced by Union in backward and tribal and there were very few K.V. Prasad, Senior News Editor Stanley Thomas
finance minister, are areas, as that will help restrictions in other On email. News Editor Lukose Mathew
a welcome move. It create jobs. places in the country. In Deputy News Editors Mathew T. George, Maijo Abraham,
Ajish P. Joy
covers all segments of Also, this is the the US, severe lockdown Smart police Resident Editor, Delhi K.S. Sachidananda Murthy
society, like the middle- occasion for the was in place only in The Covid-19 crisis has Chief of Bureau, Delhi R. Prasannan
class, farmers, migrants, government to make sure some states. transformed policing Chief of Bureau, Mumbai Dnyanesh V. Jathar
Deputy Chief of Bureau, Delhi Neeru Bhatia
corporate and so on. that slums do not exist in It is a matter of pride priorities across India.
Chief Subeditors Susamma Kurian,
Further, it aims to revive India, as the condition that Indians, by and Across the country Navin J. Antony
the small and medium there is extremely large, behaved very police are becoming Senior Subeditors Anirudha Karindalam,
Anirudh Madhavan
scale industries. It should unhealthy. Respective responsibly during the people-friendly. But, Subeditors Diya Mathew, Karthik Ravindranath,
be accepted by all that state governments, with lockdown. in the initial few days Reuben Joe Joseph, Nirmal Jovial
the Centre’s approach the help of the Central Tanushri Nagori, of the lockdown, some
SENIOR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENTS
is reasonable and government, should On email. policemen had taken Delhi: Rekha Dixit, Mandira Nayar, Hyderabad: Rahul Devulapalli
constructive. relocate people from law into their hands and Namrata Biji Ahuja, Soni Mishra, Kochi: Anjuly Mathai
K. Sunil Thomas
I hope all state slums to special housing Take care were seen mercilessly Srinagar: Tariq Ahmad Bhat SENIOR CORRESPONDENTS
governments will act projects near their current Migrants have no option beating people who had Lucknow: Puja Awasthi Bengaluru: Mini P. Thomas,
Kolkata: Rabi Banerjee Abhinav Singh
with responsibility, homes. but to leave, but their unknowingly come out
Delhi: Sneha Bhura
On right direction using the relief package Tigin Thomas, mass movement to on the streets (‘The force SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS
Delhi: Pratul Sharma, Namita Kohli,
Mumbai: Priyanka Bhadani,
The government of India should do everything to solve problems faced On email. their home states will awakens’, May 17). Pooja Biraia Jaiswal
Pradip R. Sagar
possible to revive the economy and help by various sections of have serious economic It is mostly the Bengaluru: Prathima Nandakumar
Thiruvananthapuram: Cithara Paul CHIEF REPORTER
businesses in such distressed times. The society, and desist from The lockdown in India implications (‘Rites constables that are Mumbai: Nachiket Kelkar UAE: Raju Mathew, Dubai
economic stimulus package, announced by playing petty politics. has continued for more of return’, May 17). sweating it out on the Chennai Lakshmi Subramanian
Bhopal: Sravani Sarkar
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, V.S. Ganeshan, than 60 days, and we These workers cannot streets, and it would be Ahmedabad: Nandini Gunavantrai Oza
has already infused positive sentiment in the On email. are doing everything stay in their home better if officers also
Photo Editor: Sanjoy Ghosh Art Editor: Jayakrishnan M.T.
industry, and it will keep us going (‘Pay and possible to contain the states for long and will joined them. In some Deputy Photo Editors Assistant Art Editor: Binesh Sreedharan
win’, May 17). A blend of fiscal stimulus disease. Now, the time have to return to their states, police even Bhanu Prakash Chandra, Salil Bera Senior Infographic
Chief Photographers Designer: Sreemanikandan S.
Businesses should not only refound, but and financial sector has come to gradually workplace sooner rather organised birthday Delhi: Arvind Jain, Sanjay Ahlawat Illustrator: B. Bhaskaran
also adapt to the changes that have been reforms are needed open the economy. than later. parties for children. Mumbai: Janak Bhat,
Amey Suhas Mansabdar Layout Artist: B. Manojkumar
brought about by this mighty crisis that we are to pick up investment No country can go on There are some wise There was an instance Photographer Designers: Deni Lal, Job P.K.
Delhi: Aayush Goel Graphic Designer: Syam Krishnan
facing today. The move by the government, and consumption in permanent lockdown migrants who are where Delhi Police paid
Chief Picture Coordinator Artists: Rajesh A.S., Sumesh C.N.,
on reducing reliance on China by promoting India. The onus is on mode. Restrictions should staying put at the place siren tribute to Gurdwara Bimal Nath C. Sujesh K., Ajeesh Kumar M., Jairaj T.G.
local industry is very smart, and will be richly the government to continue in hotspots, but where they are working. Bangla Sahib, which has Research: Jomy M. Joseph Senior Researcher: Rani G.S.
Photo Archivist: Deepak Joy T.
rewarded in the days to come. There remains fast-track investment there has to considerable This crisis will end soon, been feeding people
so much potential for Make in India, and we clearances, as that has relaxations in other or so they believe. Less every day during the THEWEEK.IN
should capitalise on it even more when we always been a problem places. emotional, they do not lockdown. Way to go!
New Media Coordinator Neeraj Krishnan
come out of the pandemic. for India. Red tape is There is no other want to lose their jobs Atul Yadav, Deputy New Media Coordinator Sarath Ramesh Kuniyl
Tapesh Nagpal, what foreign investors country, as large as India, and want to help their On email. Senior Subeditors Hazeeda Vijayakumar, Sumitra Nair,
Vaisakh E. Hari, Ancy K. Sunny,
On email. hate the most, and the that went into a complete Jose K. George, Justin Paul George
government should end lockdown for close to Subeditors Vinod V.K., Anita Babu, Varun Ramesh
Balan
such a regressive system. two months. Even in Time to adjust will have to adjust Senior Researcher Saju C. Daniel
It is the best time for to it. The admission Multimedia Rahul J. Mohan, Vipin Das P.
educational institutions process in colleges is Executive Director George Jacob
to change with cumbersome, and it Vice President, Marketing,
Advertising Sales Varghese Chandy
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4 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 5
APERITIF
THE BIG PICTURE
FAITH HAS
NO FENCES
A devotee offers
prayer outside the
Makhdoom Sahib in
Srinagar. Though the
Sufi shrine is shut
because of the lock-
down, a few faithful
have started turning
up during Ramzan to
pray outside.
PHOTO BY UMER ASIF
6 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 7
APERITIF
POWER POINT
SACHIDANANDA MURTHY
POINT BLANK MILESTONES
Situation Vacant. One post of governor
for state of West Bengal. Qualifications
required: 1 Basic reading of
MARINE MAN
Indian hydrographer Vice Admiral The right-leaning reforms
Constitution. 2 Ability to respect Vinay Badhwar was awarded the
dignity of office and not shoot mouth 2019 Alexander Dalrymple Award
T
off indiscriminately. 3 Modicum of self of the United Kingdom for his he final two tranches of Union Finance al allies. But disinvestment became part of political
respect in daily life, without fawning “outstanding contribution” to Indian Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announce- vocabulary in UPA period also. Now there are 120
over political hydrography. Badhwar joined the ments on public sector irked the Bhara- major public sector enterprises of which two dozen
masters shamelessly. Indian Navy in 1982. His major tiya Mazdoor Sangh, the country’s largest trade companies generate profits of 010,000 crore each.
Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP, hydrographic surveying works were in union—which is part of the sangh parivar—as they Modi had been cautious in the first term on
on Twitter, after the Trinamool Congress the Gulf of Kutch and the Andaman would throw unionised workers at the mercy of privatisation, preferring to merge banks and pe-
SALIL BERA
government in West Bengal and the governor and Nicobar Islands. private sector wolves. But the decision to restrict troleum companies, as well as sell minority stakes.
of the state were engaged in a war of words over the role of government companies in the most sen- Lack of majority in Rajya Sabha is a handicap for
the state government’s response to Covid-19 sitive sectors is a vindication of the ruling party’s him as many of the reforms as part of Covid-19
economic pledge since the Jana Sangh days. Indira stimulus package need approval from both houses
IPL isn’t a learning school, it’s a finishing Gandhi had used the nationalisation weapon in of Parliament. However, the success of pushing
school. It finishes you off as a cricketer. 1969-1977 period to punish through changes in Kashmir
Those bits that are missing, like playing spin
industrialists who were against through the Rajya Sabha has
on drier pitches, it helps you learn that and
her. She had nationalised the given him confidence. Now,
finishes you off as a cricketer.
Nasser Hussain, former England cricketer, entire coal industry which was strategic sectors like space and
on the Indian Premier League backing her opponents, and, atomic energy will be opened up,
47 years later, the industry will while the government will have a
I am in the business for 25 years, and yet RISING HOPE welcome private players. policy on public sector, restricting
I wake up every day and feel like I am a American biotech firm Moderna’s Prime Minister Narendra number of public enterprises in
newborn in the business and that’s the only mRNA-1273 vaccine showed positive Modi grew up in the inner different sectors to four. As there
way I have kept myself going. Teach yourself results in its first human trial against circles of the BJP hearing the are more government companies
things, read books, watch content, be it in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Moderna’s fierce opposition of its stalwarts, in the profitable areas of banking,
any language. vaccine is among the World Health led by A. B. Vajpayee, to the ills petroleum, power and mining,
Karan Johar, filmmaker Organization’s top-eight Covid-19 of nationalisation. He was part either the companies would get
vaccine candidates. of manifesto drafting committees which criticised merged or sold, along with 19 identified loss-mak-
SANJAY AHLAWAT
Madam, people need money. DCT—Di- “inefficient state capitalism... promoted at the cost ing companies.
rect Cash Transfer. Not 155mm numerical of our entrepreneurial class”. These words were in The Congress and left parties are saying the
bombshells on a daily basis. second wave of reforms would help cronies of the
the 1998 manifesto which helped the party win
Manish Tewari, Congress leader, on Union
enough votes to form a viable government, and BJP in a big way. Interestingly, through the 1970s to
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s
Just like it takes pressure and immediately Vajpayee pushed for disinvestment. late 1990s, the Jana Sangh and the BJP leaders had
announcement of the Centre’s economic
heat to create a diamond, In fact, industries minister Sikander Bhakt threw accused the Congress of using nationalisation and
package
these times have the potential a tantrum as the prime minister directly ordered other economic policies to grow a breed of crony
to mould something precious dilution of government shares in Maruti Udyog, a capitalists.
Till the time I am playing the sport, I will
from difficult circumstances. I public sector company created by Indira Gandhi Apparently, trade unions across the political
be a maniac. It is my responsibility to be
wish it didn’t take a pandemic in 1981. In 2002, Vajpayee received a cheque from spectrum are planning protests as the new reform
at my best, as I am playing for my country,
to convince society that we EASY TRACKING
and, if one cannot do that, he or she the Japanese partner Suzuki when they gained full is threatening their unionised bases in public sector
need to do things differently.
should step away. Researchers at the University control; by 2006, the government did not want a enterprises. Apart from ideological commitments,
Lisa Ray, actor
Virat Kohli, cricketer of California, San Diego, have single share in India’s most profitable carmaker. Modi is confident that he can score other goals by
developed a cheap, easy-to-use The Jana Sangh’s economic philosophy was shrinking the public sector. It would bring more
WORD PLAY system to track the location of shaped by its leaders, a group of right-leaning busi- revenue to government through licences, royalties
Researchers have already warned that the forever chemicals will fuel a public health crisis surgical robots inside the human nessmen led by Viren J. Shah, and economy writers and revenue sharing; improve India’s ranking in
in the world. Forever chemicals are a class of about 5,000 fluorinated compounds that do body. Many current methods are led by Jay Dubashi. Though Vajpayee could sell the World Bank’s global index of ease-of-doing
not break down in the environment or in the human body. These chemicals are used to make expensive and also require exposure half a dozen public sector companies, he could not business; and distract from miseries of the pandem-
products that are water- and strain-resistant. A recent study in 34 major US cities showed that to radiation, while the newly-found go the whole hog due to resistance from its region- ic-induced lockdown.
traces of forever chemicals were found in the blood of 99 per cent Americans. system does not.
ILLUSTRATION BHASKARAN sachi@theweek.in
8 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 9
APERITIF
PARTY SNACKS
RETIREMENT TIPS
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has kept himself
busy during the lockdown by calling up his friends,
FARMHOUSE DIARIES
Congress leader Jitin Prasada has launched an
acquaintances and notable personalities across the
country. One among them was a retired journalist
from Hyderabad. After inquiring about his well-being,
online initiative to check on the well-being of Naidu gave some advice on how to remain active
party workers in Uttar Pradesh. The initiative has post retirement. Valuable tips coming from a 70-year-
an apt title—Kaise Hain Aap? (How Are You?). old who is occupying the country’s second highest
He is spending the lockdown at his farmhouse constitutional office.
in Shahjahanpur, and has interacted with party
workers in 10 districts, inquiring about their well-
being and the Covid-19 situation in their areas.
When not busy with party activities, Prasada has
been giving his seven-year-old son a taste of farm
life, including a lesson in changing the tyres of a
tractor.
IN A SPOT
Political leaders are always in the public
eye. It does not take much for them to
trend on social media. But, during times
like these, it takes even less. Raja Singh, the
lone BJP MLA from Telangana, recently
attended a close relative’s wedding. There
was another engagement function in his
locality and more than a dozen guests there
turned out to be Covid-19 positive. Now, the
MLA’s pictures from the wedding are being
circulated with the fake message that he
attended the engagement, which turned out
to be a hotspot.
SILENT TROUBLEMAKER
Jyotiraditya Scindia and his supporters might have
changed sides, but their position seems to be strikingly
similar. Two months after joining the BJP, Scindia
THE SPIRIT ROUTE supporters were heard saying that they want to see him
The Covid-19 crisis has hampered, if not halted, material pursuits. This may well have caused a as Union minister, hopefully, soon. While Scindia was in
sudden spurt in spirituality. In any case, government departments are taking the lead in the quest the Congress, his supporters were clamouring for him to
for the spiritual by joining hands with gurus. The ministry of housing and urban affairs organised a be made the Madhya Pradesh Congress chief. As always,
webinar with Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, while the tribal ministry tied up with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Scindia himself continues to be silent. Detractors point
organisation. More departments are exploring the meditation route to help employees deal with the out that the group had quit the Congress craving “dignity”,
stress, which will ensure more collaborations with the gurus. but that seems to be eluding them even now.
ILLUSTRATIONS JAIRAJ T.G.
10 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 11
SPECIAL REPORT
BANGLADESH
21, reportedly without the knowledge
of the West Bengal government and
its intelligence apparatus. CCTV
footage showed a five-member team
picking up Majed in the morning.
After extensive interrogation in Del-
hi, he was sent to Dhaka. There are
Covert
reports that Moslem Uddin, too, has
been picked up from West Bengal.
By helping Bangladesh nab two of
Mujib’s killers when the country cel-
ebrates his birth centenary, India has
affair
taken a big step in repairing bilateral
ties which have come under consid-
erable strain after the abrogation of
Jammu and Kashmir’s special status
and the passing of the Citizenship
(Amendment) Act.
Following Majed’s execution, a
By quietly helping Bangladesh Bangladesh cabinet minister said
nab the killers of Sheikh Mujibur Prime Minister Narendra Modi com-
pleted work left unfinished by Indira
Rahman, India takes a big step in Gandhi. “The way he handed over
repairing strained bilateral ties the two fugitives will be recorded in
history,” said the minister. Inter-
estingly, India has remained silent
BY RABI BANERJEE
about the whole process.
Majed’s execution, however, has
F
or his neighbours, Ahmed Ali revelation that he was Abdul Majed, come as a rude shock to his family
was master moshai, known a retired major in the Bangladesh and friends in Kolkata. “We had no
for his proficiency in English, army. He was wanted in Bangladesh clue about his past. He was a polite
Urdu and the Quran. The for the assassination of Sheikh Mu- man who used to pray five times a
soft-spoken 71-year-old used to teach jibur Rahman, revered as the father day,” said Zareena’s brother Na-
students in the neighbourhood. He of the nation. He was executed on a zeemuddin Mullick. “A local lawyer
also used to lend money, at exorbi- long-pending death warrant on April brought us his proposal around ten
tant interest. But he chose to keep it 12. years ago. After meeting him, we
private, just like his rented apartment For decades, Bangladesh has been agreed to the marriage, although
in Bedford lane, a central Kolkata doggedly pursuing six of its former he was 30 years older than Zareena.
locality with a significant Muslim military officers—Captain Abdur My sister never had any complaints
presence, where he lived with his Rashid, Major Shariful Haq Dalim, about him.” It was Zareena’s second
wife, Zareena, and their 10-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Noor Chowd- marriage as well. Mullick said Zaree-
daughter. hury, Lieutenant Colonel Rashed na and her two daughters—she has
“A long curtain always covered Chowdhury, Lance Naik Moslem a daughter from her first marriage,
the gate,” said Safiq Ul Rahman, Uddin and Major Abdul Majed—im- too—were in deep trouble. “We have
Ali’s landlord. “The door was always plicated in Mujib’s assassination. DAWN OF written to the chief minister for mon-
closed. Even I could not go in, al- Majed had been on the radar of DEATH etary help. My sister is bedridden
Sheikh
though the house was mine. But he intelligence operatives from India and has become mentally unstable,”
Mujibur Rah-
always paid the rent on time.” and Bangladesh for a while because man, the first he said.
Ali, who had been living in Kolkata of his trips to the US to meet his son president of Mullick said Majed was a gen-
since 1996, went missing from his from his first marriage and also for Bangladesh, tleman, but he used to get irritated
GETTY IMAGES
house on February 21. Two weeks his frequent telephone conversations was killed when asked about his past. “He
later came reports about his arrest with his tainted colleagues. in a military looked like someone with a military
in Bangladesh and the shocking The sleuths moved in on February coup in 1975 background,” said Mullick. Majed,
12 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 13
SPECIAL REPORT
BANGLADESH
who had always kept a low profile, losing his job as Bangladesh’s quently, the officers decided not Rashed, Majed and Moslem
A HIDDEN LIFE
started getting noticed after he defence attache to Libya, he fled Abdul Majed (inset), who was to take any chances and shot him Uddin, the rest of the conspira-
played an active role in the anti-CAA to Thailand. From there, he found convicted and executed for and most of his family members.” tors were captured and executed
protests. He had also established his way to Kolkata, which was, by killing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, The entire operation was between 2000 and 2010. Majed’s
himself as a committed worker of the then, a well-established refuge for lived in Kolkata’s Bedford lane planned by Rashid and Major execution and Moslem Uddin’s
Trinamool Congress. exiled Bangladeshis. When Hasina for more than two decades Farooq Rahman. Apart from the reported capture have spurred
Majed was on good terms with the lost the elections in 2001 to Begum military angle, the assassination, Bangladesh missions abroad to
CPI(M) as well. He moved to Kolk- Khaleda Zia, Majed briefly went which took place on the morning nab the remaining four.
ata in 1996, after Mujib’s daughter back to Bangladesh. He stopped of August 15, 1975, also involved Speaking exclusively with THE
Sheikh Hasina came to power in going after Zia was voted out of political and diplomatic opera- WEEK, Bangladesh’s Minister for
Bangladesh. At the time, the CPI(M) power in 2006. tions. Awami League MP A.K.M. Liberation War Affairs A.K.M.
reigned supreme in West Bengal. He Like Majed, Moslem Uddin, Rahmatullah, who was a student Mozammel Haque said Majed
even managed to get a ration card too, had sought refuge in India. leader at the time, said Mujib’s could be executed only because of
in the below poverty line category. While Majed chose the slums of cabinet colleagues like Khonda- India’s help. “Moslem Uddin is in
He switched his allegiance to the Kolkata, Moslem Uddin went to ker Mostaq Ahmad, who became Indian custody, and his identity is
Trinamool Congress after Mamata a border village in the North 24 president for a brief period after being verified. Noor is sheltered by
Banerjee came to power in 2011. “In Parganas district where he worked the assassination, helped the Canada and Rashed by the US.” He
the past decade, he got everything, as a quack and ran a pharmacy. military. Army vice chief General said the remaining two—Rashid
thanks to the local leadership of the According to sources, Majed gave Ziaur Rahman—Begum Khaleda and Dalim—could be in India or
Trinamool Congress,” said Sajjad up Moslem Uddin’s whereabouts Zia’s husband, who was president Pakistan.
Hossain, a local trader. during interrogation. Bangladesh from 1977 to 1981—too, joined the Dalim had served at several
When Majed came to Kolkata, he has confirmed that his identity is plot because he was miffed with Bangladeshi missions in the
was forced to stay in one the most being verified and he, too, could the elevation of his junior officer Middle East. When Bangladesh
backward areas of Kolkata, where the soon face the death penalty. K.M. Shafiullah as army chief. The established diplomatic ties with
streets were always full of garbage. Mujib was only 55 when he United States also allegedly played Pakistan, Rashid was posted there.
“Only poor Muslims from Bihar used was assassinated. A retired army a key role, with CIA station chief Now retired, he runs businesses in
to stay there. Today, things have officer said the rebel officers were Philip Cherry being kept in the Kenya, but he reportedly stays in
changed, but the area is still known initially not keen on killing the loop by the army. Pakistan. Dalim, who runs petrole-
as a settlement of impoverished president. “He was given multiple The army was out on the streets um businesses in many countries,
people,” said social activist Shansha options to save his life, including a by late night on August 14, but too, lives in Pakistan, according to
Jahangir. chance to resign,” the officer said. nobody was bothered because intelligence reports.
Majed was forced to endure such “But being a mass leader, he chose Mujib had declared a national Haque said Mujib’s assassina-
indignity after Hasina decided to to fight back. He threatened to call emergency to counter the demon- tion was an international conspir-
hunt down her father’s killers. After the Indian prime minister. Subse- strations organised by extreme left acy orchestrated by Islamabad.
groups against the government’s “All those officers were trained
handling of the famine of 1974. in Pakistan and had links with
Many observers feel that Mujib’s Pakistan army institutes,” he said.
idea to go ahead with a one-party “Pakistan had a direct role in the
system was a major reason behind assassination of the father of our
We had no clue about his (Abdul the army’s decision to remove nation. And, they had the support
Majed’s) past. A local lawyer him. Rashid told the marching of many western countries.” Hasi-
brought us his proposal around soldiers that the army and the top na has written to President Donald
ten years ago. After meeting political brass wanted to finish the
“autocratic regime”.
Trump and Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau for their support in ex-
him, we agreed to the marriage, It was Noor who fired the bullets traditing Rashed and Noor. While
although he was 30 years older that killed Mujib. He was later Noor’s case is going on in Canada’s
than Zareena. My sister never made lieutenant colonel and was immigration court, the US has so
had any complaints about him. posted abroad as high commis- far refused to hand over Rashed.
Nazeemuddin Mullick, Majed’s brother-in-law sioner to Hong Kong and ambas- Noor leads a lonely life with his
sador to France. He now lives in wife, after having stopped inter-
SALIL BERA
Toronto under the protection of acting with the local Bangladeshi
the Canadian government. community. “During a function
Barring Rashid, Dalim, Noor, five years ago, one man walked
14 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 15
SPECIAL REPORT
BANGLADESH
A/I have spoken to authorities in many
up to him and slapped him several countries, including the foreign ministers
times. He stopped socialising after of the US and Canada for the smooth
that incident,” said Sajjad Rahman of handover of the two prime convicts. Our
the Canadian Bangladesh Centre. prime minister wrote to both heads of
Noor refused to respond to THE state. But the outcome, unfortunately,
WEEK’s queries. His lawyer Barbara has not been satisfactory.
Jackman said Noor wanted to be left
Q/One of the convicts was recently
alone. “He is very much saddened. captured in India and handed over
He does not want to be disturbed,” INTERVIEW to you, which resulted in his swift
she said. Noor’s extradition battle execution.
has affected diplomatic relations A.K. Abdul Momen, A/We were very lucky that India
between Canada and Bangladesh. “I foreign minister, Bangladesh responded to our application with firm
am fighting in the court on his behalf. and positive action. India knows Mujibur
Rahman and because of Prime Minister
We thank Prime Minister
So, please do not ask me to reveal the
details. It might jeopardise his case,” Modi we could get this man, who was
later brought to justice by the Bangla-
Modi for handing over
said Jackman.
desh judiciary.
Rashed, however, travels across
the US to take care of his business
Mujib’s killer
Q/One more convict is said to be in
interests and is said to be close to custody.
several key politicians. Trump wrote A/I have heard that Lance Naik Moslem
to Hasina in April to wish her on Uddin has been captured as well. But
Mujib’s birth centenary and called BY RABI BANERJEE his identity is yet to be verified. Both
the former president a global icon, countries are working on that.
but he has so far refused to respond AS HIS COUNTRY’S top diplomat, A.K. seeking their extradition. India has been
favourably to the extradition request. Abdul Momen handles the extradition one such country. Two of the fugitives Q/How do you look at India’s coopera-
“We can understand Pakistan’s of the assassins of Sheikh Mujibur are in the US and Canada. tion on the issue?
lack of commitment, but we have Rahman, who is revered as the father A/Prime Minister Modi is very assertive
of the nation. Momen scored a success Q/Are you talking about Noor and has supported us a lot in handing
failed to understand the role being
on this front recently with the arrest Chowdhury and Rashed Chowdhury? over major Bangladeshi criminals. We
played by the US and Canada,” said and execution of Abdul Majed, a former have also ensured that Bangladeshi ter-
A/Yes. We are trying to bring them back
Haque. “What would have been their Bangladesh army officer who was hiding as they have been convicted by a court ritory is never used to promote anti-India
reaction if we sheltered the assas- in India. In an exclusive interview with of law in our country. activities. The Indian government’s help
HOME TURNED HELL
sin of an American president or a
The house in Dhanmondi,
THE WEEK, Momen spoke about Bang- in this regard is paramount to the safety
Canadian prime minister? Their logic ladesh’s efforts to nab the fugitives. He and security of Bangladesh.
SALIL BERA
Dhaka, where Sheikh Q/What did the US and Canadian
is that death sentences are inhuman. Mujibur Rahman was also thanked Prime Minister Narendra governments tell you?
But what about the murder of a head assassinated Modi for India’s cooperation in the A/Both countries have come out with Q/Barring the two convicts in the US
process. Excerpts: lame excuses. They say because of and Canada, are you sure the rest are
the death sentence awarded, the two in India?
Q/Bangladesh seems to be in a hurry fugitives cannot be extradited. Both A/I have no idea. But we are sure that if
of state? Western leaders refuse to to arrest and execute the remaining countries are our close friends and we they are in India, the Indian government
see what these people did and how killers of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. have strong business ties with them. will hand them over to us. We will defi-
they killed the entire first family of A/This year marks the 100th birth anni- nitely get them today or tomorrow.
But we cannot accept their response on
Mujib’s killers are the most our nation, except for two people.” versary of Mujibur Rahman. So we have such an emotive issue.
hated people in Bangladesh. With one retired officer getting taken an oath to find the remaining six
who are hiding in different countries
Q/How was your experience working
executed and five more in the line, with Mujibur Rahman?
There is no hue and cry over there have been some concerns in and bring them to justice.
Q/How do you know that they are in
the US and Canada? A/I travelled with him to West Pakistan
the hanging of his murderers. Bangladesh about the army’s re- A/Our missions abroad have been [in 1970] for the round-table conference
We are confident that we sponse. Information Minister Hassan Q/Why do you say they are self-
proclaimed killers?
activated to find these people. These [after which he was arrested]. I used
people were posted as diplomats in to look after his day-to-day paperwork.
will be able to bring all those Mahmud said the country was united
A/They confessed to their crimes soon different countries. Our diplomatic mis- After independence, I served him in dif-
on the issue. “Mujib’s killers are the
criminals to justice. most hated people in Bangladesh,”
after the killing. The people of Bangla- sions got in touch with the respective ferent ministries as a senior bureaucrat.
Hassan Mahmud, information minister, Bangladesh desh, India and the entire world know it. countries and gave us reports about I found him to be extremely committed.
he said. “There is no hue and cry over
these people staying there. Both the US
the hanging of his murderers. We Q/What steps have you taken so far? and Canada have accepted the facts. Q/Now you work with his daughter.
are confident that we will be able to A/We have written to the countries A/Both father and daughter have big
bring all those criminals to justice.” where we believe they are in hiding, Q/What initiatives have you taken? hearts.
16 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 17
SOCIETY
CRIME
talk, especially about one’s sexual
Virtual, vile
conquests, in closed-door spaces of
schools, colleges, offices and so on.
The Bois Locker Room case, which
erupted on May 5, highlights how
this culture of boasting plays out in
the most insidious ways when it is
transposed to the unfettered world
The Bois Locker Room case highlights the of social media. A private chat group
on Instagram, formed by a group of
need to give teeth to Indian cyberlaw bored, well-off schoolboys in Delhi,
has brought to the fore a viscous
BY SNEHA BHURA web of cyber criminality among
minors who struggle to control their
impulses for quick thrills and a sense
R
icha Sharma says it was photos of underage girls with deeply of power. Fake profiles, stalking,
just a “thinking” picture of misogynistic remarks, some even bullying, blackmailing, morphing
her sitting, lost in thought, vindicating sexual assault. “I shared images, sexting, dating aggression,
with her finger on her lips. the news as a way to create aware- revenge porn, gang-violence, cy-
But the 17-year-old from Bengaluru ness,” says Richa, whose father is a ber-suicide—just this one case has
could not have imagined that the manager in a multinational compa- come to represent the toxic cocktail
stranger she briefly interacted with ny. “The next day, when the list of of discontent in the private lives of
on Instagram would morph it into members of the locker room came modern Indian teenagers, clueless
the horror show it later became. out, I saw the same boy’s name about netiquette and cybersecurity.
In early April, Richa got a message [come up] as an admin. That is when “The Bois Locker room incident is
on her profile from a Delhi boy her I panicked.” just the tip of the iceberg,” says Pavan
age. She did not suspect anything Richa, an only child, does not want Duggal, a cyberlaw expert. “There
fishy; he had a respectable-looking to take legal action or even tell her are hundreds of cases of misuse
profile, she says. Richa has been run- parents. They do not know about available on various platforms that
ning a YouTube channel on teenage service providers know of, but have
dilemmas and she assumed the boy not yet been reported.” Pointing out
was a follower. Moving on from small the inadequacy of the current pro-
talk, the boy urged Richa to send him visions of the Information Technol-
a nude picture. Taken aback, Richa
There are hundreds ogy Act, 2000, and also those of the
said no and ignored the alarming of cases of misuse Indecent Representation of Women
request. Fed up with her resistance, available on various (Prohibition) Act to deal with cases
the boy, says Richa, pulled out the her YouTube channel. “I cannot talk platforms that of cyber-bullying, Duggal says no
“thinking” picture from her profile about these things with my parents,” service providers specific law on these issues is being
and foisted her face on a nude body. she says. “They are not very support- contemplated. “The Indian cyberlaw
He then sent her the photo. “The last ive. They will just ask me to wear full
know of, but was amended 12 years back,” he says.
message I sent him was me saying he clothes or sit at home quietly.” have not yet been “Since then, there have been massive
could do whatever he wanted,” she So, she got more information on reported. developments in technology, which
says. “I never sent him anything from the boy from an ethical hacker, but —Pavan Duggal, cyberlaw expert necessitate that the law be updated
my side. Why should I have been has not decided what to do with it. to make it topical and relevant.”
scared?” “At least in Delhi, this is happening in In the same week the Bois Lock-
The next day, on a story she posted private chat rooms,” she says. “In my er-room talk” gained attention was er Room incident came to light, a
on her profile, the same boy trolled (Bengaluru) school, every day I hear in 2016, when then Republican 17-year-old boy jumped off the 11th
her with obscene Hindi slang. Richa someone come and tell me how they presidential nominee Donald Trump floor of his apartment building in
ILLUSTRATIONS JOB P.K.
ignored it. Then, one Sunday, Richa were inappropriately touched by apologised for bragging about Gurugram. A girl had reportedly
saw the ‘Bois Locker Room’ incident boys outside, during the lunch break. groping women, saying it was “lock- accused him, on social media, of
trending on social media. A group And there are cops stationed around er-room talk”. molesting her two years ago. Mum-
of boys from upscale Delhi schools our girls’ school.” Most people have been subjected bai-based cybercrime investigator
had allegedly shared, on Instagram, The last time the phrase “lock- to snatches of crude, vulgar, extreme Ritesh Bhatia talks about a case
18 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 19SOCIETY
CRIME
where four boys from a well-known “Let me tell you, this is happening
international school in Mumbai across the board,” she says. “Minors
ganged up against another boy—who are sharing horrifying content on so-
was also their friend—to shame him cial media and on WhatsApp. There
in a private chat group on Instagram is no economic, cultural, religious,
in April. The four boys found their gender or state divide. Boys are
friend to be a “sissy”; they did not like equally bullied. Vulnerabilities are
his “lady-like, effeminate” conduct higher with illiteracy and [among]
on TikTok videos and in Instagram first-generation internet learners.
pictures. In the chat group, they Gaming platforms are the worst-hit;
would objectify his body parts. you are threatened with death there
The boy took screenshots of their because you just cannot play.”
unsavoury conversations, showed When Sarah (name changed) from
them to his mother and then posted Delhi saw how the Bois Locker Room
them on social media. The four boys, case exploded, she came out with her
in turn, got cyber-bullied by a lot of own story. A year ago, the 18-year-
people. “Do not make social me- old from a prominent Delhi school
dia a court,” says Bhatia. “This boy, became the target of a ‘girls’ locker
without informing anyone, put out room’. While one would expect the
everything on Instagram. The boys’ participants of such a group to direct
parents should have been contacted their puerile remarks at men, this
first. The principal suspended the chat group was formed only to bully
four boys after receiving complaints Sarah. While the trigger for creating
against them. But the new fashion is this group sounds like a plot from
to take everything online. This is not an asinine American teen comedy
a platform to seek justice. Only when involving mean girls and ex-boy-
other platforms are not working friends, the obscene dissection of her
should you name and shame.” Instagram pictures and stories, apart
Bhatia strongly believes that the from physical threats in clubs, drove
teens are only aping adults. “Aren’t Sarah to the therapist’s couch. “There
we constantly trolling women jour- were 15 other girls when this group
nalists, vocal actresses and minority started, but six of them were more
women with death and rape threats? active,” she says. “I actually threat-
Think about how (environmental ened them with a case. After this, I
activist) Greta Thunberg gets trolled,” was not in a good place mentally, so I
he says. “What has the government slashed my wrists.”
done to take on these trolls? All the Sarah, the only child of a real-es-
parents who troll others, now it is covered under the existing provisions have everything sorted and they do tate developer in Delhi, was hospital-
passing down to their children.” of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. India not like any adult interference. But ised after the suicide attempt. “Back
He adds that there has to be a has failed to get a single conviction they are just not aware of the legal then, the cops came to my house,”
way to instil fear of the law in trolls. concerning online trolling. This and psychological consequences of she says. “I even gave a written com-
“Teenagers on Instagram follow itself should be a trigger to amend their online behaviour. People do not plaint. Instead, I got a lecture on how
celebrities and they see how elders its cyberlaw to not only cover online know that the bully needs more help suicide was illegal. No action was
comment and how no action is taken trolling, but also to make it a heinous than anyone else. I can teach my taken against the admin of the girls’
either by the platform or the govern- offence.” child to be empathetic and careful, locker room. Now that same girl has
ment,” he says. While the sedition law Says Sonali Patankar, presi- but I am fighting an entire lobby of started a smear campaign against
has been used to arguably muzzle dent-founder of the nonprofit Ahaan my friends who are teaching their one of the girls who first outed these
dissent against political leaders, Foundation and Responsible Netism: kids just to do the opposite.” boys from the Bois Locker Room
there has been precious little done “With early access to hand-held Patankar, who has worked across case.”
to bring online trolls to task. “Online devices, online bullying starts in the schools in Maharashtra to promote Sarah shared the screenshots of
trolling is not an offence under the fifth grade itself. Our ground research cyber education and online wellness the girls’ locker room on social media
IT Act, 2000,” says Duggal. “Also, has shown that these kids are ex- among children and adults, says the only this month. “That was the only
online trolling cannot be effectively tremely independent; they seem to lockdown has exacerbated bullying. way I could find closure,” she says.
20 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 21COVID-19
GENE MUTATION
impact antibody responses to the
Coalition for Epidemic Prepared-
ness Innovations (CEPI)-funded While it is normal and anticipated
Mutant menace
vaccines under their evaluation. for RNA viruses to mutate, the
The mutations in the Covid-19 vi-
rus are not as frequent or random as
SARS-CoV-2 virus has a ‘proof-
those in the case of the influenza vi- reading’ mechanism which limits
rus for which vaccines must under- the rate at which it can mutate.
go tweaking each year for northern Seshadri Vasan, head, CSIRO’s Dangerous Pathogens Team
New variants of Covid-19 virus may and southern hemispheres. Indian
Immunologicals Limited, a leading
hamper efforts to create a vaccine vaccines manufacturing company
joined hands with Griffith University
BY POOJA BIRAIA JAISWAL
of Australia to develop a live atten- spike protein as a vaccine or the provide the best treatment option?
uated SARS–CoV-2 vaccine—which whole live-attenuated virus vaccine Goldman says: “We do not have
AS COVID19 continues to spread Australia’s national science tics of the virus to find out significant is based on a weakened version as in our case.” good treatment for any version of
its tentacles across the globe, some agency, Commonwealth Scientific differences and similarities it shares of virus—for preventive, active, Many laboratories are cooperat- the virus [as of now]. We can hope in
scientists are theorising that the and Industrial Research Organi- with other known coronaviruses single-dose immunisation. “We are ing to release their virus genome future to gain this knowledge, but for
virus, also dubbed as SARS-CoV-2, sation (CSIRO), further confirmed which caused Severe Acute Res- fully aware that these RNA viruses sequence information to the whole now we need to collect more data
is mutating. Understanding these on May 12 that two-thirds of the piratory Syndrome and Middle East have the tendency to mutate,” says community. But the speed of data and relate the mutation data with
mutations, which are essentially sequenced strains globally and half Respiratory Syndrome. At the same Dr K. Anand Kumar, managing creation and data release, as well as other information such as trans-
small genetic changes or “errors” in of the sequences in Australia and time, as Covid-19 has turned into one director, IIL. “But it is not to a level the excitement to release analysis missibility, severity of symptoms,
the entire genome of a virus made up India now have the D614G mutation of the biggest threats to the world of serious concern. This mutation results, allows mistakes to arise, effectiveness of treatment options
of 30,000 letters, is significant for the which is apparently increasing its economy, the need for testing new happens predominantly in the spike believes Nick Goldman, head of and differential mortality.”
development and evaluation of new representation among newer strains. potential vaccines and therapeutics protein which is used by the virus to research at the European Bioinfor- Dr Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz,
diagnostics, drugs and vaccines. But even if a particular strain may for the epidemic is being undertak- gain access into human cells. There matics Institute. principal investigator, UMR BIPAR
According to a study from the be more transmissible, it does not en with a sense of urgency. CSIRO are various types of vaccine man- This brings us to the next obvious (a joint research unit in molecular
Los Alamos National Laboratory mean that it will cause a more severe is planning experiments to confirm ufacturers who are using different question: Can people be tested for all biology and parasitic immunolo-
in New Mexico (that has not yet form of disease, says Seshadri Vasan, whether the D614G mutation will technologies, including purified actionable mutations so that one can gy), France, says that the analysis
been peer-reviewed), there exists a head of CSIRO’s Dangerous Patho- of more than 5,300 coronavirus
potentially more transmissible or gens Team, that is testing Covid-19 genomes from 62 countries shows
contagious strain of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates at the Australian DELVING that SARS-CoV-2 is fairly stable. “The
DEEPER
virus due to a mutation to the spike Centre for Disease Preparedness, Researchers are
major implication of high mutation
protein (S protein)—that mediates Geelong. “This virus is still adapting decoding the rates in viruses is that this trait helps
virus entry into host cells—called to its new human host,” says Vasan. virus to identify them escape from the immune
D614G. As per the study, the muta- “It is expected that, over time, dif- its differences system,” he says.
tion Spike D614G is of urgent con- ferent dominant strains will appear and similarities Back home, the CSIR-Central
cern. It began spreading in Europe in different parts of the world. This to other known Drug Research Institute, Lucknow,
coronaviruses
in early February. When introduced should not cause undue alarm. While has initiated collaborations with
to new regions, it rapidly became it is normal and anticipated for RNA King George’s Medical University,
the dominant form. Although the viruses to mutate, the SARS-CoV-2 Lucknow, to sequence the virus
observed diversity among the SARS- virus has a ‘proof-reading’ mecha- strains that are from patient samples
CoV-2 pandemic sequences is low, nism which limits the rate at which it in Uttar Pradesh. A team has been
its rapid global spread provides the can mutate.” put into place for analysing whether
virus with ample opportunity for Denis Bauer, team leader, Trans- changes to the viral sequences, if
natural selection to act upon rare but formational Bioinformatics, CSIRO any, will impact proposed treatment
favourable mutations. e-Health Research Program, also strategies. It is known that at least
Spike protein is the main target of backs the view that mutations are a eight different variants of the virus
antibodies, and many vaccines are normal part of a virus’s evolution and are causing the Covid-19 infection.
developed based on it. Mutations do not necessarily have an impact on Initially a few patient samples will
ARVIND JAIN
in virus may hamper the protection the severity of the disease. be sequenced. Digital and molecu-
induced by a vaccine based on one Researchers are investigating the lar surveillance will be carried out
variant of the spike protein. physical and molecular characteris- on the basis of this work.
22 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 23COVID-19
GENE MUTATION
Network support
of Virology in Pune. Till date, over Phylogenetic analysis has shown Gujarat and one from West Bengal
200 2019-nCoV genomes from that the Indian coronavirus isolates fall under this cluster.
India have been deposited in public largely cluster into five clades—A1a, A number of people suggest that
databases globally. These include A2a, A3, B and B4. Most of the Indi- the clades have a difference in sever-
isolates from government agencies an genomes fall in the A superclade, ity, but such claims have not been
such as the National Institute of Vi- with a majority encompassing A2a proven. Though some clades are
rology, the National Centre for Dis- and A1a clades and a few in A3 predominantly prevalent in some
Analysing viral mutations and sharing genomic data are ease Control, the National Institute clade. A2a is a globally predominant locations than in others, there is
helping researchers better understand the pandemic of Biomedical Genomics, and the
National Institute of Mental Health
clade. The genomes in A3 clade,
which was mostly reported in Iran
insufficient data to draw conclusions
about the differences in virulence
and Neurosciences. The majority of earlier, are from isolates collected and clinical outcomes of these
BY VINOD SCARIA AND BANI JOLLY
genomes have been made availa- from Ladakh. clades. More genomes and system-
ble through a collaborative effort The initial genomes from Kerala atic tagging of clinical information
FROM A POSSIBLE isolated out- reference point for understanding genomic data, the research network between the National Centre for fell into the B clade, and are from for the genomes would significantly
break in a wet market in Wuhan, the virus and its evolution. Nextstrain has broadly divided Disease Control and the CSIR In- individuals who had travelled from improve our understanding in this
China, Covid-19 has become a global Like all organisms, coronavirus the 2019-nCoV genomes into 10 stitute of Genomics and Integrative Wuhan. The recent addition of B4 direction.
pandemic affecting around five evolves through the accumulation clades: A1a, A2, A2a, A3, A6, A7, B, Biology. The Gujarat Biotechnology clade to the Indian cluster was large- The Covid-19 pandemic has high-
million people and killing more than of genetic mutations. Unlike the B1, B2 and B4. The ‘A’ supergroup, Research Centre, a state-sponsored ly through the sequencing efforts lighted the need to share genomic
three lakh worldwide. The causative influenza viruses that cause the or A superclade, are known as the research organisation, has deposit- of Gujarat Biotechnology Research data on a global scale. Researchers
organism is a virus that is so small common flu, the 2019-nCoV mutates ‘European clade’, since the sequences ed more than 100 genome sequenc- Centre and the National Institute from more than 70 countries have
that more than four lakh of its kind at a much slower pace. It is estimated falling under this type originated in es of 2019-nCoV isolates collected of Biomedical Genomics in West made over 30,000 coronavirus
can fit on the tip of a needle. This that the virus accumulates one mu- European nations. The B superclade from across Gujarat. Bengal. The B4 clade is a sub-type genomes publicly available—one
new strain of coronavirus, named as tation approximately every 15 days. is called the ‘East Asian clade’, also The genomes can be compared of the superclade B with potential of the best examples of open data
novel coronavirus 2019, or 2019- As the virus replicates and transmits, based on its origins. based on the genetic mutations origins from either East Asia or Oce- initiatives shaping up across the
nCoV, has an RNA (ribonucleic acid) mutations get accumulated in its The sequence of the viral genome they have. This comparison can ania. Sequences that belong to the globe. It also highlights the renewed
genome of around 30,000 nucleotide genome, thus forming different evo- thus provides researchers with an help map out a visual construction B4 clade harbour two distinguishing interest in open source movements
bases and belongs to the betacorona- lutionary groups or ‘clades’. opportunity to understand how the of what is known as a phylogenetic mutations in their genomes. The first for developing better diagnostics
virus genus. Sequencing the genome can pro- virus evolves, and more importantly, tree—a family tree of the virus that mutation, L84S, in the gene ORF8 is and novel therapeutics, something
The first genome sequence of vide a view of the genetic mutations how it spread across the world. The depicts how the different genome common among all clades of the B that has been rightly emphasised by
2019-nCoV was isolated from a man in a particular strain and how it initial genomes of 2019-nCoV from sequences are related to each other. superclade. The other mutation is World Health Organization direc-
employed at the Wuhan market. A compares with the rest of the strains India were obtained from one of Clades can thus be identified on the S202N in the gene that encodes the tor-general Tedros Adhanom.
consortium of researchers in China worldwide. Based on information the patients who had travelled from tree as a cluster that shares a com- nucleocapsid protein of the virus. —The authors are researchers at the
made the sequence available in the from GISAID, a database hosted by Wuhan to Kerala. The genomes were mon ancestor and descends from In the phylogenetic tree of genomes CSIR Institute of Genomics and
public domain; today, it serves as the the German government to share sequenced by the National Institute the same branch. from India, three genomes from Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Delhi.
24 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 25You can also read
