ALIGARH (PTI) — Their head scarves may announce their identity but many women first-time voters here say they want to elect a government that goes past the veneer to understand the complexity of their lives and bring in a truly secular and inclusive India.
I want to vote for a secular government. It is my first vote. There is a common belief that if you are a Muslim you cannot be secular. I want to vote for the change of that perception, the 18-year-old Geography student said.
Under the present government, I am scared to step outside Aligarh. I feel I will not be safe outside my community but I want to travel. I want to vote for that secular government which makes me feel safe in my own country, the English Honours student said.
I want to cast my vote and then shift. I want to vote for development. I want to vote to elect a government that does not differentiate against us on the basis of religion or caste, she said.
Her sister, 19-year-old Maliha, another first time voter, said times are difficult these days and it is very important that we vote for change, for a secular government.
Maliha, who did not elaborate further, said she wants to become a teacher someday and hopes the next government gives them the opportunity to fulfill their dreams.
I keep seeing in the news that there are 20 lakh jobs vacant, I do not understand how these jobs are lying vacant. I hope the next government deals with employment properly, she said.
I want India to have a reliable standing in the world, she said.
The idea, she said, was to tell them about the importance of voting and how it can play a role in nation building.
India is a beautiful country and its beauty lies in the pluralistic society that we live in which is the essence of our country. We motivate the girls here to get above caste politics, regional politics, communal politics and vote on the agenda of development, Gulrez said.
Aligarh has a total of 18,73,993 voters. Khair, Baroli, Atroli , Kol, and Aligarh city are assembly seats in the constituency.