Why does Assam have no faith in the BJP-led Centre despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public commitment to protect the identity of the Assamese people following the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill?

This was the question posed by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) leadership before the thousands who had defied curfew to attend a massive protest meeting here against the “contentious and divisive” legislation which received presidential assent on Thursday.

AASU offered the answers. There are at least three reasons, according to the AASU adviser Samujjal Bhattacharjya, which does not inspire confidence in the ruling dispensation.

He reminded the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo about the Centre’s serial U-turn over three issues — influx, land swap deal and big dams — despite public commitments.

“How can we believe in you? Why will the people of Assam believe you? There are three reasons we don’t trust you. You had promised before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls to send illegal Bangladeshis packing by May 16, 2014; secondly, you had promised not to include Assam land in the India-Bangladesh land swap deal. Thirdly, you were against big dams. But you did not fulfil the promises after coming to power. How can we believe you?”

AASU was referring to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweet on Thursday: “The Central Government and I are totally committed to constitutionally safeguard the political, linguistic, cultural and land rights of the Assamese people as per the spirit of Clause 6. I want to assure my brothers and sisters of Assam that they have nothing to worry after the passing of #CAB. I want to assure them no one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow.”

The land swap deal was signed by Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina in June 2015 despite the party protesting against the deal during the UPA II regime. The Centre is now trying to resume construction 2000MW Lower Subansiri hydel project, stalled since 2011, AASU general secretary Lurin Jyoti Gogoi said.

The AASU leadership made it clear at the meeting that they will not rest till the legislation was scrapped, given their past experience with the ruling BJP. “We want the law scrapped. We will continue to fight peacefully on the streets and in the courts since you not cared for the sentiments of the Assamese people,” he said.

Anti-CAB protesters fear the new legislation will pose a threat to the culture, identity and language of the Assamese people if the Centre rolls out the “red carpet” to welcome Bangladeshi Hindus, one of the communities which will benefit from the bill.

“You had promised to send illegal Bangladeshi back but now you are getting ready to welcome them through the CAB. You gave away our land to Bangladersh and are now backing big dams! That is why we want the CAB scrapped,” Bhattacharya said to thunderous applause.