Call for action against religious intolerance in schools

PURSUANT to receiving complaints from parents, the South African Hindu Dharma Sabha acted decisively and swiftly regarding the matter of alleged religious intolerance and Christian domination at the Northwood School.

- RAM MAHARAJ

We immediately wrote to the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, requesting urgent investigation. Furthermore, we requested that a circular be issued to all public schools in South Africa to pro-actively prevent widespread religious intolerance and Christian domination.

The dharma sabha has also lodged an official complaint with the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities requesting it to take imperative, appropriate and effective steps consistent with due process.

Moreover, we have requested the South African Human Rights Commission to approach the Equality Court and institute proceedings in terms of Section 20 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act Number 4 of 2000, Regulation 6 (1).