Group wants enquiry into racism in
S/Africa schools
In view of the reported incidents of
racism in Boksburg (Gauteng) school, Hindus
have asked for nationwide investigation into prevalence of racism in South Africa
schools.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a
statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was highly disturbing and
unacceptable that innocent primary schoolchildren had to go through such racist
nightmare, including verbal abuse and discrimination, just for wearing
traditional Hindu red string around their wrists as was reported in Boksburg.
According to reports, one grade-three
student faced racial and derogatory slurs for the last three years (it started
when he was in grade one) from the teacher in front of classmates for wearing
the religious string and was asked to remove it. When complained, he was told
to hide the red string with a jersey. Several other parents have since come out
with similar allegations.
Hinduism was oldest and third largest
religion of the world with a rich philosophical thought. Why should we hide our
sacred red threads and other symbols as we were proud of our heritage,
traditions and religion? Zed, who is President of Universal Society of
Hinduism, stressed.
Rajan Zed pointed out that South
African President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Paula
Mokonyane should come out openly and strongly against this racist episode and
make sure that such incidents did not happen in the future.
Although the suffering through which
these tender-aged children and their families went through could not be
properly redressed, but the affected families should be paid adequate
compensation for the irreparable damage. Action should be taken against the
teachers who committed the abuse and their superiors who protected them and let
it happen. Community should be assured that Hindu children would not go through
such racist nightmare in any of South
Africa schools in the times to come, Zed
stated.
Hindus, who have been in South Africa since 1700s, had made great
contributions to the success of South
Africa. How long we would stay as “coolie”
in the racist mindset, Rajan Zed asked.
Boksburg, where gold was discovered in
1887, forms part of Ekurhuleni
Metropolitan Municipality
with Mondli Gungubele as the Mayor. Boksburg is home to Boksburg
Lake and East Rand Mall and figure skater Konrad Giering
was born here.
Hindus form a considerable part of South Africa population; elaborate Diwali
festivals are held in Johannesburg and Cape Town every year; and there are Hindu temples and
ashrams in Johannesburg, Durban,
Austin, et
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