A group of scientists and researchers have appealed to voters to reject those who lynch or assault people and also those who encourage such practices. They have issued a public appeal to citizens to reject divisive politics.
It must be recalled that more than 100 filmmakers appealed to citizens not to vote for the BJP a week ago, while on Monday 231 writers appealed to the people to reject “hate politics”.
As reported by the Policy Times, a collective of more than 150 noted scientists urged to vote against “inequality, intimidation, discrimination, and unreason and remember the constitutional commitment to scientific temper”.
Describing the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as a ‘crucial one’, the scientist said that we cannot endorse politics that divides us, creates fears and marginalises a large fraction of our society.
The appeal signed by 154 scientists, researchers and academics from various institutions, including the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, the Indian Statistical Institute, Ashoka University and the Indian Institutes of Technology, was posted on Wednesday on the website of the Indian Cultural Forum, an association of academics, activists, lawyers and scientists.
The signatories of the statement include prominent researches like Amitabh Joshi, Gagandeep Kang, Naresh Dadhich, Prajval Shastri, Rama Govindarajan, Satyajit Mayor and Subhash Lakhotia, among others.
The scientists and researchers asked all citizens to vote wisely and weigh arguments and evidence critically. Though the appeal does not refer to any particular party, it highlights concerns raised by numerous individuals and forums about issues under the Narendra Modi government.