India’s ‘Positive Secularism’: Challenging Western Universalism at the Global Human Rights Summit

At the recent Global Human Rights Summit, Indian representatives presented a robust defense of the country’s 'Pluralistic Secularism,' countering critiques often rooted in Western socio-political frameworks. The Indian intervention emphasized that the Western model of secularism—characterized by a rigid 'wall of separation' between church and state—is often insufficient for the complex, multi-religious realities of the Global South.

India advocated for the concept of 'Positive Secularism,' which is rooted in the ancient philosophical tradition of Sarva Dharma Sambhava (equal respect for all religions). Unlike the Western notion of 'freedom from religion,' which seeks to privatize faith and remove it from the public square, the Indian model focuses on 'freedom of religion.' In this framework, the state does not remain indifferent to religion but actively intervenes to ensure religious harmony, protect minority rights, and facilitate the equitable practice of all faiths.

The Indian delegation argued that for a society as diverse as India, the state must play a proactive role in mediating inter-religious relations to prevent communal friction. This 'principled distance' allows the state to intervene for social reform—such as the abolition of untouchability or regulating personal laws—while maintaining neutrality. This contrasts sharply with the French model of Laïcité, which often views public religious expression as a challenge to national identity.

This discourse is significant as it challenges the 'universalism' of Western human rights narratives. By asserting a Global South perspective, India is highlighting that human rights and secularism are not monolithic concepts but must be adapted to the historical and cultural contexts of different nations. This defense serves as a diplomatic assertion of India's unique constitutional identity on the world stage.