A group of scientists have become the latest community to issue a public appeal to citizens to reject ‘divisive politics’.
A week ago, 103 filmmakers appealed to citizens not to vote for the BJP, while on Monday, 231 writers appealed to the people to reject “hate politics”.
As many as 154 noted scientists signed the joint appeal, posted on Wednesday on the website of the Indian Cultural Forum.
The Indian Cultural Forum describes itself as “committed members of the cultural and academic communities”. The forum had also carried the appeal by the writers.
“Let us vote to unify the people. Let us vote to spread the light of reason. We appeal to all citizens to vote wisely, weighing arguments and evidence critically. We appeal to all citizens to remember our constitutional commitment to scientific temper,” it reads.
The appeal from the scientists starts by describing the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as a “crucial one”. It notes, the polls “asks for a re-affirmation of the most fundamental guarantees our Constitution gives us: equal rights to faith or lack thereof; culture; language; association; personal liberty and freedom of expression.”
The scientists appeal to citizens to reject “those who lynch or assault people, those who discriminate against people because of religion, caste, gender, language or region”.
The scientists declare “We cannot endorse a politics that divides us, creates fears and marginalises a large fraction of our society”.
“An atmosphere in which scientists, activists and rationalists are hounded, harassed, intimidated, censored, jailed, or worse, murdered, is not the future our country deserves… We must put an end to the denigration of rational, evidence-based public discourse; only then, can we create better resources and opportunities for jobs, education and research,” the scientists argue.
The appeal from the scientists concludes by calling on all citizens to “vote wisely, weighing arguments and evidence critically. We appeal to all citizens to remember our constitutional commitment to scientific temper.”
While the scientists’ appeal does not refer to any particular party, it highlights concerns raised by numerous individuals and forums about issues under the Narendra Modi government.
The signatory scientists include those working at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai and Indian Statistical Institute, New Delhi and numerous other specialised institutions.’
