Lok Sabha Elections 2019: In a post on Indian Cultural forum, over 200 scientists urge voters to vote wisely

With the Lok Sabha polls looming ahead, more than 200 scientists have appealed to voters to vote for the 'light of reason.' In an open letter posted on The Indian Cultural Forum on Wednesday, the scientists have written about the cruciality of the upcoming elections to the equal rights of the diverse faiths, liberties, culture practiced in India:

"This election asks for the reaffirmation of equal rights to faith or lack thereof; culture; language; association; personal liberty and freedom of expression. These rights, even as they accrue to each of us individually, can only exist if they accrue to all Indian citizens — without partiality or discrimination."

The scientists have also urged the people to not vote for divisive politics which marginalizes our society and attacks our diversity with discrimination, writing:

"We cannot endorse a politics that divides us, creates fears, and marginalizes a large fraction of our society — women, Dalits, Adivasis, religious minorities, the persons with disabilities or the poor. Diversity is our democracy’s greatest strength; discrimination and non-inclusivity strike at its very foundation."

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Urging people to vote wisely, weighing arguments and evidence critically, the scientists have quoted Rabindranath Tagore's words about the ideal land saying:

"Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way 
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake."

Earlier, over 200 writers too had written on the Indian Cultural forum urging voters to vote against divisive politics targeting our diversity and the danger of being harassed or arrested on false and ridiculous charges.

The Lok Sabha Election will be held in seven phases from April 11 to May 10. The results will be announced on May 23.