The Indian Constitution in Article 51 A (h) demands, as a part of the fundamental duties of the citizens, that we '...develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform'. Unfortunately, what we are witnessing instead is the active promotion of irrational and sectarian thought by important functionaries of the government.

The Indian civilization is a truly plural one. We have always had many practices and communities that have allowed space for each other; we celebrate the festivals and anniversaries of all faiths. This unity and peace has now been disturbed by a rash of bigoted acts, attacks on minorities and dalits, which show no signs of abating.

The writers have shown the way with their protests. We scientists now join our voices to theirs, to assert that the Indian people will not accept such attacks on reason, science and our plural culture. We reject the destructive narrow view of India that seeks to dictate what people will wear, think, eat and who they will love.

We appeal to all other sections of society to raise their voice against the assault on reason and scientific temper we are witnessing in India today.

Signatories (over 100) include:

Dr Ashoke Sen, Padma Bhushan, Fellow of Royal Society (FRS), Distinguished Professor, Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad

Dr Alladi Sitaram, Visiting Professor Chennai Mathematical Institute; Professor Emeritus, Indian Statistical Institute, Bengaluru (2005-2010)

Dr Ashok Jain, Former Director, National Institute of Science Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS), New Delhi

Dr A Gopalakrishnan, Former Chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Government of India

Dr Chandrasekhar Khare, Fellow of Royal Society (FRS), Professor of Mathematics, University of California-Los Angeles, USA, and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

Dr D Balasubramanian, Padma Shri, Research Director, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, & former Director Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad

Dr Madabusi Raghunathan, Padma Bhushan, Fellow of Royal Society (FRS), Professor and Head, National Centre for Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai

Dr P Balaram, Padma Bhushan, Former Director, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru

Dr P M Bhargava, Padma Bhushan, Former Director, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad (one of the original signatories to the 1981 Scientific Temper Statement)

Dr Rama Govindarajan, Professor, TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad

Dr Satyajit Mayor, Foreign Associate US National Science Academy, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru

Dr Sharada Srinivasan, Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru

Dr Sriram Ramaswamy, Director, TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad

Dr Spenta R Wadia, Founding Director and Emeritus Professor, International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru

Dr Vineeta Bal, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi.

Dr Vivek Borkar, Institute Chair Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai