E.tv evokes wrath of Hindus
THE South African Hindu Dharma Sabha and a Durban businessman have lodged complaints against the privately owned channel e.tv, accusing it of “perpetuating unwarranted and disingenuous Hindu bashing”, after it broadcast a Christian programme in which the local pastor allegedly insulted Hindu religious practices.
The programme, Life by Design, which featured Pastor Andre Olivier of Rivers Church, was broadcast on the channel recently between 6 and 6.30am.
Soon after its broadcast, an irate Pravesh Naipal, of Sea Cow Lake, sent a complaint to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) and the Sabha demanding action be take against Olivier. “Although I am a Hindu, I watch programmes about other religions. On this particular morning, Pastor Olivier’s programme was being screened on e.tv. During his sermon, he projected an image of a Hindu Guru with a long beard, who dressed in a dhoti, and had ash on his forehead and arms.”
The father of three said Olivier, with reference to the image, allegedly said: “You don’t have to apply ash on your body to reach God. Come to Jesus directly and see God.”
“I found this statement insulting to us as Hindus. It ridiculed us because we apply ash on our bodies. It was also misleading to those who don’t know anything about Hinduism. I immediately sent a complaint to the BCCSA and the Sabha.”
Naipal demanded an apology from Olivier and an assurance from e.tv that the channel would watch religious programmes before it was screened.
Sabha president Ram Maharaj also lodged a complaint with the BCCSA and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities.
He stated that Olivier had, among other things, “abused the image” of a Hindu Guru (teacher of mentor) with ashes on his body by telling his audience “you don’t have to apply ash on your body to reach God. Come to Jesus directly and see God”.
Maharaj wrote that the conduct constituted a “flagrant violation of the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill 2016 4 (1)”.
The Bill, he said, explicitly prohibited anyone from being threatening, abusive or insulting towards any person or group of persons or bringing anyone into contempt or ridicule… based on religion, or beliefs…”
He said he was made aware of the programme after he had received complaints from “furious members” of the Hindu community.
Maharaj added that in terms of clause 4 (2) of the Code of Conduct broadcasting service licencees must not broadcast material which, judged within context, amounts to propaganda for war, incitement of imminent violence, or the advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, religion or gender or that constitutes incitement to cause harm.
Maharaj went on to say that the pastor’s mockery of a sacrosanct image of a revered Guru was deemed “denigration and unacceptable” in a democracy where all religions are accorded equal status, respect and treatment. He cited an Act in the constitution, which states: “Persons belonging to a cultural or linguistic community may not be denied the right, with other members of that community, to enjoy their culture, practise their religion and use their language.”
He said Pastor Olivier’s referencing of a guru was deemed to be “particularly pernicious, harmful, insulting, offensive, abusive, prejudicial and insensitive”.
Maharaj added: “It is an internationally accepted fact that religious denigration and intolerance, as demonstrated substantively by Pastor Andre Olivier, have spread hatred, caused harm, incited violence and led to ‘holy’ wars causing loss of millions of lives and senseless destruction of property.
“The e.tv channel is being publicly perceived to be, through omission or commission, either overtly or covertly, perpetrating and perpetuating unwarranted and disingenuous Hindu bashing characteristic of the oppressive colonial and apartheid eras when Hindus were regarded as soft targets for conversion to superior Christianity.”
He said the Sabha could not and would not allow Hindu sensitivities to be trampled upon by anyone.
“The Sabha is not weak and meek and will not tolerate intolerance.”
The pastor’s spokesperson, Kogi Mareen, said they were not aware of any complaint lodged against him.
The registrar for the BCCSA, Shouneez Martin, confirmed a complaint had been lodged.
“At this stage we can confirm that a complaint has been lodged and that the matter will be considered by the BCCSA in due course. Our decision will be sent to the complainant as soon as it is available.”
The spokesperson for the CRL Rights Commission, Mpiyakhe Mkholo, said: “We are in the process of investigating the complaint,” while the spokesperson for e. tv, Vasili Vass, confirmed they received the complaint last Thursday and are investigating.