Even as you read this, news reports assail us about the turmoil in Assam, over the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB). Without going into details about what the CAB is, first up, the Association in Mumbai, which is a socio-cultural organisation, dedicated to keeping the Assamese culture alive in the city, is concerned and tense about ongoing events. We have already appealed for peace in our digital magazine called 'Enajor', which literally means something very lovely or a binding force. Of course, Internet is not available in Assam currently, so they cannot access the magazine. We have relayed the message in the hope that Internet will be up soon.

I think these problems which are spiralling to alarming proportions have started because the Bill has not been very well understood by the Assamese people. When you do not understand a concept well or in its entirety, you are apt to be misled at best and manipulated at worst. The Bill may very well be good. Yet, if that is so, the present Ministers of Assam should have used different mediums to explain what the CAB means, and what are its ramifications to people from the grassroots level to upwards. Today, there are manifold mediums from on ground posters, meetings, to the digital space. By doing that, you effectively close any scope for misunderstanding and people are less gullible or suspicious. If the Bill is bad, then, certain modifications can be made to make it acceptable. The Assamese are a sentimental people and the issue should have been dealt with delicately.