Call to vote along religious lines not sensible

A first time voter from Mumbai writes that issues that affect individual citizens don't figure in this election, instead religious identity dominates the discourse

When you think about a first time voter, what image comes to your mind? A late teen, probably enjoying the last stages of life where one is actually devoid of any major responsibilities? Or perhaps a young person influenced by the aggressive marketing that is being carried out by political parties?

As a first time voter, I would like to believe that I don’t tick either of the check boxes that I have mentioned. I’m a 23 year-old IT professional and like every IT professional I know, I try to analyse things rationally and apply some kind of logic in every scenario. Therefore, to my avail, although I have tried my best to comprehend the current political situation, but it has been really hard to find any logic in this confusion.

As of writing, the elections in my zone are about 10 days away and I don’t know whom I am going to vote for, yet. But don’t mistake me as someone who is apolitical. I take keen interest in politics and am someone with a neutral point of view. I think the ruling party needs some bashing. Not because I’m against it, but I think they need to be held accountable, because, well, they are the ruling party!

I was eligible to vote in the previous Lok Sabha election but couldn’t vote. Although I had applied for an election card via the booth setup in my college, I didn’t receive my voter card. It’s true that I also did not follow up on the status of the card. This year, however, I made sure I got my voter card. I now feel strongly that everyone eligible to vote should be registered, because this is a rare opportunity when power is bestowed upon us citizens.

In some ways, this wait has made me aware of how young people approach news and politics. As an 18-year-old, I would consume news through Facebook and Twitter and whatever other social media platforms teens are plugged into. However, I now feel that everyone should consume news from legitimate sources and not from the kind of click bait sites that grab one’s attention.

Also, as an 18-old I would have surely cast my vote for the current ruling party, without knowing the concept of a Member of Parliament (MP). The fact of the matter is that whatever sells on social media is the coolest thing to do, and in the previous term, ‘Ab Ki Baar, Modi Sarkar’ was the shiniest toy in the market. Therefore, I have a small piece of advice, please don’t fall for ploys like this and put in the effort to find basic information about the candidates in your zone.

Another thing that I would like to say – and I am aware this could land me in soup – is about the nationalistic agenda that political parties are putting forward. Reality check time, people! Political parties are supposed to improve the nation as a whole, and not play the religion card. So I would like to request voters out there: Please don’t believe in the facade that is projected to you. Clear your mind and think about the nation as a whole. Also, let’s just address the elephant in the room. Corruption is rampant in this nation and it exists on both sides of the political spectrum.

If you remember, during the last election campaign, issues such as women’s safety, employment, economy, development of the nation and others were the topics of conversation. However, this term, it has all boiled down to the religious group you belong to.

The battle lines have been drawn on the basis of religion and not on the basis of whether or not a particular party would tackle issues that an individual faces. As for me, I would like to say, this does not seem logical or sensible to me.

(Neerav Talreja is a Mumbai-based IT professional)