Johannesburg:
A teacher in South Africa allegedly cut a religious thread from the wrist of a Hindu student, condemning the community members for “insensitive and irresponsible” action.
The incident took place last week at Drakeenseburg Secondary School in Quazulu-Natal province.
The South African Hindu Mahasabha (SAHMS) has called for action by the education authorities, as the teacher has allegedly cut the holy thread from the Hindu student’s wrist, claiming that the school is not allowed to wear cultural or religious symbols Gives
The organization said in a press statement on Sunday, “Sahms strongly condemns a teacher who cuts a religious string from a Hindu learner, strongly condemning the insensitive and non -responsible action.”
The organization said that it is investigating the alleged incident of religious intolerance in the school, but is interrupting the investigation as the victim is refusing to come forward due to fear of further prey.
SAHSM President Ashwin Trikamji said that both the principal and president of the school’s governing body told him during a telephonic discussion that he was a Hindu.
In an interview with the National Indian Radio Station, he said, “He was very defensive about not allowing any religious discrimination in his school, both announced that they themselves had ring and wires on their hands, but we have Till now there was nothing officially in writing, “he said in an interview with the National Indian Radio Station. Lotus FM.
Trikamji recalled an earlier example when the South Africa’s South African South African’s South Judicial Authority, the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of a Hindu student, who flowed from his school wearing his nose ring. The court had noted that no one can be denied using their cultural or religious practices.
According to sources, this incident has also given rise to inter-religious conflict in the region.
The constitution prevents unfair discrimination on various grounds including religious rights and South African Charter religion of freedom. The government has established the Statutory Human Rights Commission and Cultural, Religious and Language (CRL) Rights Commission to work on any complaint related to discriminatory practices.
Trikamji blamed the Ministry of Education for failing to provide schools with clear and brief guidelines to promote religious and cultural tolerance, left them uncertain about what is acceptable and what is not.
However, Muji Mahalambi, spokesperson of the Provincial Department of Education at Quazulu-Nottal, disagree, where Indian-origin citizens of South Africa live more than two-thirds of it.
The Department of Education emphasizes that the Constitution is the highest law of the land, and any school policy which it is unacceptable is contradictory of it, Mahalambi was called by the radio station.
Mahalmbi said that the department has directed the schools to review and amend its code of conduct and policies to align with the constitution. No student should face punishment for his religious affiliation.
Indian-origin South African CRL Commissioner Raj Govender said that if someone’s religious rights have been violated, they can contact the organization.
“As a commissioner of the CRL Commission, I think the school needs to change its policy to accommodate the cultural and religious needs of the minority community,” he said.
Referring to the incident of alleged racial discrimination at Drakensburg Secondary School, Gavender said that teachers should remain very neutral.
He said, “If he (which is alleged) (who is alleged), he has seriously violated his role. He deviated from his real role as a teacher,” he said.
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