By M L Satyan

Bengaluru, April 27, 2020: Covid-19 pandemic raises many serious questions: What is the origin of Corona virus? From where and when did it start spreading? How did it spread all over the world? Who is responsible for this pandemic and all its negative consequences? All these questions are unanswered and they remain mysteries.

First let us look at the global situation:

One story is that the Coronavirus started spreading from the animal market at Wuhan in China. The second story is the deadly virus leaked out from the science lab in China where one of the scientists had been experimenting with the virus. The third story is that the virus was purposely developed as a weapon to create a Bio-war. Whom to blame?

Developed countries have been spending enormous amount money to develop highly sophisticated weapons, fighter planes and armed forces to safeguard their own countries. Unfortunately no one bothered about the preventive and curative measures to safeguard the people from any type of pandemic. Whom to blame?

New York, the city that never sleeps, is now asleep and all quiet. Paris, the center of romance lives in echoes. Rome, the eternal city, is deserted. Disney is out of magic. London is caged in silence and the Queen speaks to her people from a hidden room. Mecca is empty and no one is there to stone the devil. The Great Wall of China is no longer a fortress. Whom to blame?

The powerful nations of the world are speechless. The developed countries of the world are suddenly on their knees. Churches, Synagogues, Temples, Mosques and all other worship places are silent. Whom to blame?

Theatres, shopping malls, great parks, monuments, stadiums and beaches are empty. The famous sports leagues, the fashion shows, exotic weddings, festivals all lost to memory. Celebrities have run out of celebrations. Whom to blame?

International Universities (arts, science, medical) and Colleges have been closed. The students now are deprived of their studies. Whom to blame?

Globally industries like Jobs, Retail, Travel, Tourism, Hospitality, Automotive, Cinema/film, Local transport, Logistics, Restaurants, Luxury products, Sports, Real estate, Oil and gas, Construction, Events and conferences, Tech and gadgets and Media have been affected. Whom to blame?

The Indian situation

When Covid-19 started spreading in China in December 2019 the federal government never bothered. In spite of the caution by World Health Organization the health minister assured the people saying that the spread of the deadly virus was not a health emergency. Whom to blame?

From the time the news about the spread of Coronavirus reached India in December, travelers arriving India from January were not thoroughly checked and quarantined. Whom to blame?

Amid the spread of the deadly virus a mega event named “Namasthe Trump” was organized in Gujarat where more than 100,000 people gathered and in Delhi where the president and most of the parliamentarians and government officials were present.

The incoming dignitaries from US never underwent any health check-up on their arrival in India. There was no scarcity for “touching, embracing and handshaking” during the events in Gujarat and Delhi. The virus spread from whom to whom? Whom to blame?

Since the federal government never took the spread of Covid-19 seriously, they never had an all-party consultation to face the crisis. Even when the one-day Janta Curfew was announced, nobody had realized the seriousness of the situation. No preparatory plan or scheme was announced except the clapping, ringing bell and beating plates. Whom to blame?

National lockdown was announced from midnight of March 24 in a ‘hurried manner’ without foreseeing its negative impacts on the marginal farmers, small scale business, students, migrant labourers, those living below poverty line and the nation’s economy. The lockdown was extended until May 3. Whom to blame?

The federal and some state governments placed order for Rapid Testing Kits from China after ICMR certified the quality of the kits. When the kits arrived and were used, it was found that the kits were not of good quality and reliable. Now ICMR has asked the states to return all the kits to China. In the name of conducting tests, the medical staffs have played with the precious lives of the people using the sub-standard testing kits. Whom to blame?

It is really frightening to see that globally 3 million people are infected and 300,000 dead. In India nearly 29,500 are infected and nearly 940 dead at the end of April 27. All these people are innocent. Did any of them deserve this? We have lost precious lives? Whom to blame?

Can all countries blame China for spreading the deadly virus?
Can the ruling government and its IT Cell blame the previous government and its leaders – dead and living?
Can the opposition parties blame the Prime Minister and his government?
Can the federal government blame the state governments?
Can the government blame the medical fraternity?
Can the government blame one particular religious community?
Can one religion blame another religion?
Can all of us blame God for sending this pandemic to this world as a punishment?
Can all of us take the blame on ourselves?

This list can go on endlessly.

Will any one come forward to take the blame? We need to wait and see.