A South African school is under fire after a teacher allegedly cut off a religious thread from the wrist of a Hindu student last week. The incident that triggered condemnation took place at Drakensburg Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal province.
The South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) called it an “insensitive and irresponsible” action and initiated an investigation. “The SAHMS strongly condemns the insensitive and irresponsible action of an educator cutting off a religious string from a Hindu learner,” the organisation said in a press statement.
An investigation has been started into this matter. However, SAHMS is facing a problem in the probe as the victim has refused to come forward. According to news agency PTI, the victim denied it for fear of further victimisation.
SAHMS President Ashwin Trikamjee said he spoke to both the principal and the chairman of the school’s governing body, both of whom identified themselves as Hindus. “They were very defensive about not allowing any religious discrimination at their school, both declaring that they themselves had rings and strings on their hands. But we have not had anything officially in writing yet,” Trikamjee told national Indian radio station Lotus FM.
Trikamjee also referenced a landmark ruling by South Africa’s Constitutional Court, that ruled in favour of a Hindu student to wear a nose ring at school, reinforcing the protection of cultural and religious practices.
The incident has reportedly led to inter-religious tensions in the region. 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.
Muzi Mahlambi, a spokesman for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, emphasised that the Constitution is the highest law of the land and overrules any school policy that contradicts it. He said that schools have been instructed to review and revise their codes of conduct to ensure they align with constitutional principles.
“No student should face punishment for their religious affiliation,” Mahlambi asserted.
Indian-origin South African CRL commissioner Raj Govender weighed in on the issue, emphasising that the school’s policies must be changed to accommodate religious and cultural diversity.
“If anybody’s religious rights have been violated, they can approach the organisation. The school needs to modify its policy to respect the cultural and religious needs of minority communities,” Govender said.
He also criticised the teacher’s actions, saying that educators should remain neutral and uphold principles of inclusivity. “If she (the teacher) has done what is alleged, she has seriously violated her role. She has diverted from her real role as an educator,” he said.