Coronavirus: Will Fear of an Outbreak affect the Anti-CAA Movement in Assam?

Guwahati, March 8, 2020:

With the coronavirus terror across the nation having reached its peak, the Government has sought to put an end to "mass gatherings" to prevent the outbreak of the virus. However, the end to "public gatherings" has brought up another question in the minds of the Assamese: will this affect the ongoing struggle against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in the State? Now, after Government directives to prohibit "mass gatherings", murmurs of a conspiracy have started to arise.

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All Assam Students' Union (AASU) leader Lurinjyoti Gogoi, who had led protests against the CAA across the State, opines that the Government might be using this as a conspiracy to stall the momentum of the protests. "At a time when there is rampant fear of coronavirus, peaceful gatherings have been stopped. However, on the contrary shopping malls are open, cinema halls are open; why are they not trying to prohibit gatherings in such places? They should take precautions, there is no doubt about it; however, the banning of gatherings at a time when there is an ongoing movement to topple the CAA reeks of a conspiracy."

The AASU leader has also chided the Government for attempting to stifle the protesters by using the coronavirus as a ruse. "The movement is still going on...the Government. however, through underhandedness is attempting to end it. We were planning a rally after the end of 10th board exams on the 16th of this month in Jorhat; however, we have not received permission; I believe they are trying to create a panic situation to hamper the movement."

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Despite the coronavirus scare, Lurin opines, the movement will go on. He said, "We will not be deterred. The movement has to be continued to secure to future of Assam. Of course there is a panic regarding the coronavirus, but I do not doubt for a moment that people will continue to turn up en masse..".

The Dibrugarh district administration, meanwhile, has cancelled all the permissions issued for processions, meetings, theatre and events involving mass gatherings with immediate effect. At the same time, district administration has already appealed people to avoid mass gathering in view of the above order to prevent possibility of spread of coronavirus. Across the board, mass gatherings have been dissuaded, which begs the question: will the anti-CAA movement in Assam survive the onslaught of the coronavirus?

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