A South African school is facing backlash after a teacher allegedly removed a religious thread from a Hindu student’s wrist last week. The incident took place at Drakensburg Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal province and has sparked widespread condemnation. The South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) condemned the teacher’s action as “insensitive and irresponsible,” and launched an investigation into the matter.
However, the investigation has faced challenges as the victim has refused to come forward, citing fear of further victimization. Despite this, SAHMS President Ashwin Trikamjee spoke with both the school principal and the chairman of the governing body, both of whom identified as Hindus. While they denied any religious discrimination and defended their own religious practices, no official written statement has been provided yet.
The incident has reignited discussions around religious freedoms in South Africa, especially regarding the protection of cultural and religious practices. Citing a previous Constitutional Court ruling, Trikamjee emphasized that religious rights should be upheld in educational institutions. The South African Constitution prohibits religious discrimination, and various commissions have been established to safeguard such rights.
Muzi Mahlambi, a spokesman for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, reiterated that schools must ensure their policies align with the country’s constitutional principles, stressing that no student should face punishment for their religious beliefs. CRL commissioner Raj Govender also criticized the teacher’s actions, urging schools to revise their policies to accommodate religious diversity and for educators to respect the cultural needs of minority communities.
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