Catchy, creative and stirring slogans are being used by protesters demonstrating against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Assam.

The slogans are on their lips and on the banners and placards they hold.

As they pour into the streets, the call to assemble for a rally begins with “Jai Aai Axom (Glory to mother Assam)”, followed by “Tumi jadi Axomia, ulai aaha, ulai aaha (If you are an Assamese, come out, come out)” and “Aa o aa, ulai aa (Come o my people, come out)”.

“These slogans make an Assamese emotional and alert. On hearing such calls to safeguard our land, its people and heritage, how can people sleep? They are ready to hit the streets even at midnight,” said Kanaklata Chiring, a social worker.

As the protesters march, the chant of “Ai jui jolise, jolise, jolibo, ai hongram solise, solibo (This fire is burning and it will keep burning, this struggle is on and it will continue)” infuses the protesters with a new energy and enthusiasm.

They declare their mission firmly and clearly as they chant, “Khed oi khed, videkhi khed (Oust foreigners)” or hum the tune, “O ho, ho ho”, which has become very popular. “This is a slogan to protest the entire Northeast against CAA. It symbolises bravery and unity,” said AASU convener Samujjal Bhattacharjya.

The protesters warn against any intention to harm mother Assam: “Aase hengdang lova nay, lole kintu raksha nay (We have not taken the hengdang, traditional Assamese sword, in hand. If we do, there will be no protection)”.

All the slogans are in Assamese. It is difficult to find a single slogan raised in any other language.

The protesters also take the opportunity to criticise the ruling BJP in Delhi and Dispur: “BJP lai lai, sai, sai (BJP is virtueless), Narendra Modi lai lai, sai sai (Narendra Modi is virtueless).”

In Assam, the words have also acquired colour.

Arbindo Karmakar, a local artist, said the CAA protest in Assam is different from the rest of the country as artists are using their brushes as magic wands. “Songs, short plays, paintings, mimicry are being used in the anti-CAA movement in Assam. The CAA protest here is different from the rest of the country,” he said.

Lachit Deka, a student, said, “The indigenous people of Assam have been struggling with illegal immigrants, primarily from Bangladesh, since long. The Assam Agitation (1979-1985) during which 855 people died, was a result of that. But the problem remains the same even after 34 years. The new generation also has to struggle for the same by opposing CAA. The people are angry because they are worried that the Act will help lakhs of Bangladeshi Hindus settle in Assam, posing a threat to their land, resources, language, culture and overall existence and this is reflected in slogans.”