Incident at KwaZulu-Natal school draws condemnation from Hindu community and rights groups
A teacher in South Africa allegedly cut off a Hindu student’s Raksha Sutra, a sacred red-colored thread, triggering backlash from the Hindu community over what they call an “insensitive and irresponsible” act, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
The incident occurred at Drakensberg Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal province
The South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) has strongly condemned the educator’s actions and has called for intervention by education authorities. The teacher reportedly justified the act by stating that the school does not permit cultural or religious symbols.
Officials have been dispatched to the school to investigate allegations of religious intolerance
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education acknowledged the incident and stated that all schools must adhere to the country’s constitutional guidelines, ensuring that religious observances remain fair, voluntary, and within public authority regulations.
To address the situation, education department officials have been sent to Drakensberg Secondary School in Estcourt to assess the depth of the allegations.
The South African Constitution’s Charter of Religious Rights and Freedoms strictly prohibits unfair discrimination based on religion. Government bodies such as the Human Rights Commission and the Cultural, Religious, and Language (CRL) Rights Commission have been established to act on complaints related to discriminatory practices.
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