Polarization is rampant everywhere, on every single issue. Media amplifies it and social media regurgitates it endlessly. Freedom of speech is good, and passion is great indeed, as long as the discussions and debates are civil, positive and constructive.

The people who are taking the extreme positions are so noisy and vitriolic on all the sides, that trying to talk sense and bring about balance, feels like a Herculean task.

There are perhaps more moderates in this world, than those that take extreme positions, but their problem is that they are silent, perhaps not wanting to risk getting hurt and bloodied, in this senseless war of diatribes and invite a deluge of unsolicited hate mail and despicable comments.

Moderation is certainly the need of the hour, and we need more empathy and understanding on all sides. To some extent, compromise is needed to facilitate people to come to the center and carve out a path ahead, together. Yet, it is often portrayed as surrender, or a sellout, by those who are firmly entrenched in their extreme positions, thereby hampering progress. And if we allow politicians on all sides to fan hatred, instead of fostering mutual understanding, respect and peace, the problem is immensely exacerbated.

Unfortunately, the first casualty in any argument seems to be facts. People have a strong sense of identity that stems from their language, religion, gender, education and upbringing, and they perceive things differently, form their own opinions without verifying facts, and cherry pick only those ‘facts’ or some ‘dimensions of facts’, to corroborate their opinions, and indulge in selective praise or outrage, depending upon their position on any issue.

How can we change this sad and destructive trend? It is possible only if more moderates come forward to break their silence and speak up firmly, and reason with facts and figures, with an abundance of patience and perseverance, and bring people together.

It is perhaps easier said than done, but it is much-needed today, for civility and sanity to return to public discourse and debate.