In recent times, it feels like Guwahati is constantly on the verge of erupting in a volcano-like rage. The laid-back and calm nature that the people of Assam are known for seems to be fading away, especially in the hustle and bustle of Guwahati. The city, once synonymous with serenity, is witnessing an alarming rise in incidents of road rage and impulsive mob outbursts over the most trivial matters.
It's perplexing to see why the people of Guwahati, known for their kindness, are transforming into characters straight out of an "angry young man" script.
The question lingers: why are the people of Guwahati adopting the persona of 'angry young men'?
Road rage incidents are becoming all too common, triggered by minor infractions like someone cutting a line in traffic, escalating into chases, verbal spats, or even physical altercations.
The rage appears to be seated right in the driver's seat, ready to explode at the slightest rule violation or a questionable gesture.
Incidents of people losing their cool and engaging in aggressive behaviour have become so frequent that it's becoming a cause for concern.
A recent incident in Ganeshguri, where a minor scuffle escalated into a fatal assault, highlights the dangerous consequences of this rising anger.
A young man lost his life due to the intensity of the rage exhibited by those involved.
It's heartbreaking to think that someone's life was taken away over what might have started as a petty disagreement.
The root cause seems to be displaced anger surfacing in people's lives.
The stresses of personal and professional life, coupled with factors like alcohol consumption, rule violations, and the frustration of feeling powerless in certain situations, are pushing people to the edge.
The consequences range from scuffles on the road resulting in death to someone stopping their car in the middle of the road simply because someone cut the queue.
Studies suggest that young males are often the culprits in road rage incidents.
The crowded roads of Guwahati only intensify the anger behind the wheel.
Additionally, psychological factors, such as displaced anger and high-life stress, are contributing to the surge in road rage incidents.
It's also noted that individuals experiencing road rage are more likely to misuse alcohol and drugs.
It's not just road rage either.
There have been numerous accounts which made the headlines – a man killing a woman for not getting his way, a wife killing a husband unable to take the violence anymore, a man beating a vegetable vendor for charging extra and the list goes on.
People might get upset about things happening in their lives right now.
Sometimes, the current situation can make it harder to handle emotions.
Certain situations can make someone feel angry, but they might find it tough to express or deal with that anger at the moment.
So, they might end up expressing their anger at other times, which is what is happening all around us.
It is crucial that we ourselves try to understand this emotion because that’s what it is and not let it get the better of us. There’s more to us than the rage.
(The author is DIG (Admin & STF), Assam. All views and opinions expressed in the article are the author’s own)