Understanding religious intolerance faced by Hindus in South Africa
HINDUS have been subjected to religious intolerance in educational and corporate sectors quite often, if not on a daily basis. Hindu pupils, students or employees being asked to remove items of religious significance such as the wearing of red strings on wrists, nose studs and red/black dot on forehead, is probably the most common occurrence
The South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS), the representative organisation for Hindus in South Africa, regularly assists aggrieved individuals who are subjected to the “victimisation” to ensure that our Hindu Dharma is upheld. We ensure that we are not subject to this type of intolerance at any level - irrespective of where it takes place.
South Africans of other faiths must respect the religion and the culture of all faiths without any restrictions.
We at the SAHMS believe that it would be beneficial to leaders and officials in the public and private sectors to understand the religious significance of the items worn by Hindus to proactively prevent any unpleasant incidents and negative publicity.
The significance of each religious item is explained below:
The wearing of raksha sutra (string):
Raksha sutra is raw cotton, coloured, red or white, tied around the wrist of devotees participating in worship. Every time the wearer sees this thread, it should remind her/him of this prayer/appeal for protection and it should remind us of God. When we think of God, there is no opportunity to engage in impure/sinful activities - and this (avoiding wrong activities) is our protection.
Having asked God for protection (the best/highest protection) there is no reason for despair and losing hope. This thread reminds us that we have the best possible protection, and it gives us hope – preventing despair, depression, suicides, etc, in times of crisis.
Any appeal to God must be accompanied by effort on our part (we must allow God to fulfil our appeals by creating the right environment).
Significance of the dot on forehead
Whether it is called a bottu, bindi or tilak – this dot that adorns the foreheads of Hindu women is not just a decoration but has religious significance. It is worn between the eyes and symbolises the soul, the spiritual eye or ‘third eye’ that is the place of wisdom and central point of concentration. The red dot also indicates the marital status of women and has been a part of Hindu culture for millennia.
Significance of the nose ring
In Hinduism, nose piercing holds deep spiritual, cultural, and Ayurvedic significance, particularly for women. It is associated with Goddess Parvati, symbolising love, marriage, and fertility, and is often part of wedding rituals. Ayurveda links left nostril piercing to reproductive health, believing it eases menstrual pain and childbirth. Spiritually, it is considered a rite of passage, aiding meditation and enhancing life energy. Regional variations exist, with North Indian women preferring the left nostril and South Indians the right. Beyond adornment, nose piercing reflects tradition, well-being, and spiritual awareness.
Significance of ear piercing
The Karnavedha is a sacrament that involves the piercing of the child's ears. It is performed in the fifth or seventh year to sharpen the intellect and for girls and boys alike. It is meant to promote the proper development of the nerves. Before the actual piercing of the ears, both parents and the child engage in worship. Karnavedha is a Vedic rite of passage. It is intended to open the inner ears to receive sacred sounds. The hearing of sacred sounds with concentration is considered meritorious in that it cleanses the mind and nurtures the spirit. The continuous pressure in the ear lobe helps keep that part of the brain responsible for memory.
Recent studies have identified the ear as a microcosm of the entire body. Some even say the point of vision in acupuncture is situated in the centre of the lobe. Hence, the practice of wearing earrings has therapeutic value. According to Ayurveda, the ear lobe has an important point right in the centre. This point is one of the most important areas for reproductive health.
As per Ayurveda, the point where the ear is pierced is where two essential acupressure points are present – master sensorial and master cerebral points. These two points are the key players in maintaining a child's hearing. Acupressure experts say it's a good spot to help relieve tinnitus symptoms (ringing or buzzing ears).
It is important to note that the constitution of South Africa allows for freedom of expression and protects religious and cultural rights.
This right has been further entrenched by the highest court of the land in the matter of Sunali Pillay, who was prevented from wearing a nose stud, our Constitutional Court. Chief Justice Langa (together with all the other honourable judges of the Constitutional Court) held that the rule prohibiting the wearing of jewellery had the potential for indirect discrimination because it allowed certain groups of learners to express their religious and cultural identity freely, while denying the rights to others.
The judge emphasised that both obligatory and voluntary practices qualified for protection under the Equality Act - what was relevant was not whether the practice was characterised as religious or cultural but the importance it held for the individual in question. Nor was it sufficient to say one must attend another institution. Our Constitution requires the community to affirm and reasonably accommodate difference not merely to tolerate it as a last resort.
The chief justice concluded that the discrimination against Sunali Pillay was unfair and granted an order declaring that the refusal by the school to grant her an exemption from its code unfairly discriminated against her as such. It was also significant that the Department of Education was ordered to pay Sunali’s costs of the matter before the Constitutional court.
The SAHMS strongly cautions all that cultural and religious rights, like the wearing of red strings and nose studs must be respected. As stated above these items are not merely fashion accessories but have deep religious significance. The SAHMS will strongly support all Hindus in this regard and will not tolerate any interference in this regard.
In the present case, the SAHMS immediately communicated with the school concerned and also with the principal. It is most unfortunate that in 2025, 30 years into democracy, that we are still subjected to intolerance - be it at educational institutions or in the workplace. Perhaps it is time some criminal sanction should be imposed on persons wilfully breaching the law of the land.
Trikamjee is the President of the SA Hindu Maha Sabha
Ashwin Trikamjee is the president of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.