11-15-2007, 07:12 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Durban school lands in controversy over religious remarks
29 Oct 2007, 0059 hrs IST,PTI
DURBAN: A high school here, which created a row in recent past over
an Indian-origin girl wearing a nose ring, has now been plunged into a
fresh controversy after a teacher of the school said that Hindus will
"go to hell", while Christians will "go to heaven".
The incident took place at at the Durban Girls' High School during a
discussion on religion. When one of the pupils told the teacher that
she was Hindu, the teacher responded by saying that because they
prayed to idols they would go to hell. She also told the pupil that
she would pray for her.
"I am shocked by these remarks. They are propogating Christianity and
attacking other religions, which is unacceptable," said a parent.
The chairman of the Human Rights Commission, Jody Kollapen, said the
incident proved that certain people had not yet woken up to the fact
that South Africa was a multi-religious society.
"School is a place where we should advance the values of tolerance and
understanding," he said.
"Any attempt to create a hierarchy of religion that suggests one God
is more powerful than the other, to undermine people's faith and
belief, certainly would run counter to the constitution of the country.
"The Human Rights Commission would view such conduct in a strong
light. But we will have to investigate this complaint thoroughly
before drawing any conclusions," said Kollapen.
A Hindu leader, Ram Maharaj, said they wanted the Human Rights
Commission to investigate the incident fully. "It is particularly
insensitive, offensive and traumatising especially at a time when we
are preparing to celebrate Deepavali," said Maharaj.
"The alleged remarks are unwarranted and venomous. Schools can't be
reduced to happy hunting grounds to wean converts," he said.
The Durban Girl High School was in the news recently when the
Constitutional Court over-ruled the school's decision to ban a former
pupil, Sonali Pillay, from wearing a nose ring to school. The court
ruled that no child should be prohibited from displaying cultural
symbols of choice.
The ban was imposed by the school two years ago when Pillay was
completing her final year in school. The girl's mother, Navi Pillay,
fought the ban in the courts and finally in the Constitutional Court.
The nose-ring saga still continues to raise debate in newspaper
columns and in radio talks shows. While most people have welcomed the
court decision, others, mainly whites, say the court ruling will
affect discipline in schools.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/R...how/2498084.cms<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Update:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->South Africa: Hindu Row At School 'Distorted'
http://allafrica.com/stories/200711050218.html<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
29 Oct 2007, 0059 hrs IST,PTI
DURBAN: A high school here, which created a row in recent past over
an Indian-origin girl wearing a nose ring, has now been plunged into a
fresh controversy after a teacher of the school said that Hindus will
"go to hell", while Christians will "go to heaven".
The incident took place at at the Durban Girls' High School during a
discussion on religion. When one of the pupils told the teacher that
she was Hindu, the teacher responded by saying that because they
prayed to idols they would go to hell. She also told the pupil that
she would pray for her.
"I am shocked by these remarks. They are propogating Christianity and
attacking other religions, which is unacceptable," said a parent.
The chairman of the Human Rights Commission, Jody Kollapen, said the
incident proved that certain people had not yet woken up to the fact
that South Africa was a multi-religious society.
"School is a place where we should advance the values of tolerance and
understanding," he said.
"Any attempt to create a hierarchy of religion that suggests one God
is more powerful than the other, to undermine people's faith and
belief, certainly would run counter to the constitution of the country.
"The Human Rights Commission would view such conduct in a strong
light. But we will have to investigate this complaint thoroughly
before drawing any conclusions," said Kollapen.
A Hindu leader, Ram Maharaj, said they wanted the Human Rights
Commission to investigate the incident fully. "It is particularly
insensitive, offensive and traumatising especially at a time when we
are preparing to celebrate Deepavali," said Maharaj.
"The alleged remarks are unwarranted and venomous. Schools can't be
reduced to happy hunting grounds to wean converts," he said.
The Durban Girl High School was in the news recently when the
Constitutional Court over-ruled the school's decision to ban a former
pupil, Sonali Pillay, from wearing a nose ring to school. The court
ruled that no child should be prohibited from displaying cultural
symbols of choice.
The ban was imposed by the school two years ago when Pillay was
completing her final year in school. The girl's mother, Navi Pillay,
fought the ban in the courts and finally in the Constitutional Court.
The nose-ring saga still continues to raise debate in newspaper
columns and in radio talks shows. While most people have welcomed the
court decision, others, mainly whites, say the court ruling will
affect discipline in schools.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/R...how/2498084.cms<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Update:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->South Africa: Hindu Row At School 'Distorted'
http://allafrica.com/stories/200711050218.html<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->