A teacher in South Africa allegedly cut off a Raksha Sutra, a religious red-coloured thread from the wrist of a Hindu student, triggering condemnation from the community members for the ‘insensitive and irresponsible’ action.

The incident reportedly took place last week at Drakensburg Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal province.

The South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) has called for action by education authorities after the teacher allegedly cut off the sacred thread from the wrist of a Hindu student, claiming that the school does not allow the wearing of cultural or religious symbols.

The SAHMS has strongly condemned the insensitive and irresponsible action of an educator cutting off a religious string from a Hindu learner.

To the allegations of ‘racial intolerance’ KZN Education responded, “It has been brought to the attention of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, that an incident of possible racial intolerance has occurred at the Drakensberg Secondary School in Estcourt.”

“Religious observances can take place at state-aided or state institutions, but they must be conducted fairly, follow public authority rules, and be free and voluntary, hence, all schools must adhere to the prescripts contained in our Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,” the school said.

To address the allegations of racial intolerance at Drakensberg Secondary School in Estcourt, Department officials have been dispatched to the school to understand the depth of the allegations.

The South African Charter of Religious Rights and Freedoms in the Constitution prohibits unfair discrimination on various grounds, including religion. The government has established the statutory Human Rights Commission and the Cultural, Religious and Language (CRL) Rights Commission to act on any complaints related to discriminatory practices.

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