The debate between universality and cultural relativism i.e. the nuances between
individualistic and collectivist approaches to human rights, such as the existence of
traditional social structures and institutions that have been the inherent protectors of
several human rights, without any legal obligation needed to do so gives rise to an
important issue of whether International Human Rights law are truly universal.
One such example recently occurred in India through the National Human Rights
Commission of India’s annual debate competition topic on “Are human rights a
stumbling block in fighting evils like terrorism and Naxalism” .
Generally, the major concerns in India pertain to the historical inheritance of the tussle
between group identities that seek to put forth their aspirations for autonomy, equality,
self-determination and self-respect based on their existential state of feeling deprived,
discriminated and subjugated as these groups are perceived as a threat to region’s
national security as the conflict of their aspirations with the national interests.
Source: nhrc.nic.in
