Merriam-Webster has declared ‘polarization’ its 2024 Word of the Year, reflecting the deep divisions within American society, highlighted by the recent presidential election. The choice underscores the increasing use of the term across political, social, and even scientific contexts.
Fox News host Neil Cavuto remembers former Connecticut senator and vice presidential nominee Joe Lieberman, highlighting his commitment to bipartisanship and his belief in the importance of faith in public life. Cavuto reflects on the decline of civility in politics and argues that Lieberman’s legacy offers a path forward in an increasingly polarized world.
In the wake of a recent assassination attempt on former President Trump, President Biden calls for an end to political violence. Drawing inspiration from Sir Nicholas Winton’s heroic rescue of Jewish children during World War II, the author argues that Americans must see each other as neighbors and embrace shared humanity to combat polarization and violence.
During the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, Muslims have remained largely silent. This tactical silence reflects their fear of political participation and their belief that their silence will mitigate polarization. It is a disturbing shift in the community’s political psyche, indicating a moral downfall for the majority and a failure to take responsibility for India’s fissures. Muslim voters have accepted that their participation is limited to staying safe from majoritarian politics and that their vote carries no political currency. They cannot trade their vote for development promises, but only for silent neglect. This silence tells us that Muslims fear visible political participation. Over the last decade, Muslim political action has met with State brutality and social ostracism. While it is arguable that the Indian State has shown general disapproval of dissent, its response to protests by Muslims has been exceptionally oppressive. Police action during the CAA-NRC protests, house demolitions after the protests to Nupur Sharma’s remarks, and the legislative assault on Muslim rights have confirmed the State’s intolerance and society’s disdain for any Muslim political mobilization.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign has shifted focus from promises of a developed India to generating fear among voters, implying that their safety and religious traditions are at risk. However, the opposition has countered this narrative, using concerns about the BJP’s potential majority to change the Constitution and reservation policies. Despite the BJP’s attempts to polarize voters, the opposition’s strategy of staying under the radar and highlighting local issues has yielded some results.
