A teacher reportedly cut off a spiritual thread from the elbow of a Hindu scholar last year, leading to the closure of a South African class. Drakensburg Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal state was the site of the incident that caused criticism.
The South African Hindu Maha Sabha ( SAHMS ) called it an “insensitive and irresponsible” action and initiated an investigation. The SAHMS expresses its regret for the callous and careless behavior of an educator who cut off a Hindu learner’s religious string in a press release.
An investigation has been launched into this problem. The target has reportedly declined to come forth, which poses a problem for SAHMS in the investigation. According to news organization PTI, the sufferer denied it for fear of more victimisation.
Ashwin Trikamjee, leader of SAHMS, claimed to have spoken with both the principal and the head of the school’s governing body, both of whom had a religious background. They both claimed that they themselves had jewels and chords on their hands, and were very defensive about not allowing any spiritual prejudice at their university. However, there hasn’t been anything legally written in writing already,” Trikamjee told the Hindu radio station Lotus FM.
Trikamjee also made reference to a location decision made by the South African Constitutional Court that supported a Hindu student who was required to wear a nose ring in class, bolstering the protection of historical and religious practices.
According to reports, the tragedy has reportedly caused interreligious conflicts in the area. South Africa’s Constitution prohibits unfair discrimination based on religion, and both the Human Rights Commission and the Cultural, Religious, and Language ( CRL ) Rights Commission have been established to address grievances related to religious freedoms.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education official Muzi Mahlambi emphasized that the Constitution is the country’s supreme law and that it precludes any school policy in its place. He claimed that institutions have been instructed to review and update their code of conduct to ensure that it adheres to the constitution.
” No student may experience abuse for their spiritual affiliation”, Mahlambi asserted.
Raj Govender, a South American CRL director of Indian descent, weighed in on the matter, arguing that the school’s plans must be altered to provide religious and cultural diversity.
” If anybody’s spiritual rights have been violated, they may approach the company. According to Govender, the school needs to change its policy in order to accommodate minority communities ‘ cultural and spiritual needs.
He also criticised the professor’s actions, saying that teachers may be neutral and retain principles of diversity. ” If she ( the teacher ) has done what is alleged, she has seriously violated her role. She has diverted from her true role as an educator”, he said.
