That what was feared and that what had been  flagrantly disregarded by all those who have been steadfastly advocating the ‘virtues’ of CAB has just begun to surface. As if almost coinciding with the debate in Rajya Sabha that commenced exactly at midday on Wednesday, news about protests originating in Assam capital in deluge were flashed on TV screens and social media. And with every passing hour, protests have turned more violent that had even compelled some of the participants during the heated debate to draw attention of the house. Based on the sheer strength of numerical majority enjoyed by the NDA, the bill has finally been passed. But if it’s elation for them, for NE it is a time of great consternation, if the proverb ‘morning shows the day’ is borrowed for understanding the gravity of the happenings unfolding fast. It will be a matter of grave concern if the unbridled fear and confusion that have now engulfed Assam take an infectious turn and sweep the entire region. 
From the very beginning there had been discernible large-scale ambiguities surrounding the bill which has failed to satisfy most of the stakeholders, with NE being the principal one. Various terms such as unconstitutional, anti-constitutional, divisive, religiously polarising and a host of many such had been used during the past few weeks while explaining the harmfulness of CAB, along with the appeal of soul-searching to give one last thought. Appeals had poured  in incessantly from  countless quarters and more than 1000 of the most distinguished  scientists and scholars of the country have signed an open statement in capacity  as ‘concerned citizens’ expressing  their apprehensions. Long before all these last-hour activities, it was the NE which first raised concerns, now echoed by the whole country and earnestly appealed for its rollback. But now, after passage of the bill and now awaiting the President’s assent, the feeling  of the people of the region is conspicuous enough  to  get visible in the eyes of those wielding powers at Delhi. They feel dishonoured and betrayed and the current uprising, presumably just the onset is an ample corroboration of their sentiments. If the Assam of December 11 is taken into consideration, since it’s proving to be the epicentre, it seems it might be another return to the days of the Assam Movement. Besides curfew, a newer addition this time will be internet and cellular services clampdown.
Violence under any circumstances can never be justified and it will be most unfortunate if the whole region gets engulfed in approaching days. And for that not to happen, the foremost thing for the centre will be to make another further attempt to win confidence of the region’s people by clarifying the bill in as much details and more importantly, in all contexts specific to the region. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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