Now, over 200 writers appeal to vote out ‘hate politics’ 

Arundhati Roy.

New Delhi: After the filmmakers’ public appeal, “Save Democracy”, against voting for the Bharatiya Janata Party, over 200 writers, on Monday, issued a joint multi-lingual appeal, without naming any party, to vote out “hate politics” and vote for a “diverse and equal India” in the Lok Sabha election.

The appeal, which refers to people being targeted for their religion, caste or gender, and the use of hate politics to divide the country and create a climate of fear, is signed by writers including Amitav Ghosh, Amit Chaudhuri, Anand Teltumde, Ranjit Hoskote, Jeet Thayil, Arundhati Roy, Anita Nair, Romila Thapar, Rukmini Bhaya Nair, Keki Daruwalla, Kiran Nagarkar, M Mukundan, Mangalesh Dabral, Shashi Deshpande, Basharat Peer, Meena Kandasamy, Mukul Kesavan, Nabaneeta Dev Sen, TM Krishna, Nayantara Sahgal, Girish Karnad, Ruchira Gupta, Paul Zacharia and Githa Hariharan.

Although the appeal did not name any party but the right-wing supporters criticized the writers for speaking out.

The appeal said, “Hate politics has been used to divide the country; create fear; and exclude more and more people from living as full-fledged citizens. ... Anyone who questions the powers-that-be is in danger of being harassed or arrested on false and ridiculous charges.”

It also said, “The first step, the one we can take soon, is to vote out hate politics. Vote out the division of our people; vote out inequality; vote against violence, intimidation and censorship. This is the only way we can vote for an India that renews the promises made by our Constitution. This is why we appeal to all citizens to vote for a diverse and equal India.”

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