‘Sanction preacher for rabid anti-hindu post’
HINDU organisations have called on the South African Human
Rights Commission to investigate the attack on Hinduism by a selfproclaimed evangelist.
Chatsworth preacher Simeon Bradley Chetty shared a video on Facebook recently on his conversion from Hinduism to Christianity. In his video, which went viral, he demeaned the Hindu and Muslim faiths, sparking outrage on social media.
Chetty has since retracted the video and issued an apology to the community and all religious bodies affected by his recent testimony.
The South African Hindu Maha Sabha condemned the attack.
Ashwin Trikamjee, the president, said they had lodged a complaint with the SA Human Rights Commission and asked Facebook to remove the video.
“This disregard of religious beliefs is happening all the time.
But all religious groups are becoming more vigilant. What was in this video was total disgust and nothing more than absurdities.
“Social media is good, but it also opens avenues where people are no longer careful about what they say,” said Trikamjee.
He said he would ask Anglican Bishop Rubin Phillip to assist in arranging a meeting with elders of the church Chetty belongs to.
Trikamjee said Hindus and other religious groups would not tolerate this kind of behaviour.
“I do not accept his apology,” Trikamjee said.
In his apology, Chetty said it was never his intention to offend members of other faiths, “as I do understand I came out incorrectly”.
He added that what he said was not associated with his church.
Ram Maharaj, president of the South African Hindu Dharma Sabha, together with the South African Hindu Youth Movement, also lodged complaints with the commission.
“We request the South African Human Rights Commission to investigate and… take appropriate action including approaching the Equality Court.
“Evidently, Chetty’s patent intent is to hurt, humiliate and harm the
Hindu community…,” said Maharaj in his letter to the commission.
He said Hindus respected other religions and expected respect in return.
“Chetty’s rabid post has inflicted irretrievable harm on interfaith understanding, unity and harmony in South Africa where all religions, including Hinduism, are continually guaranteed equal status, respect, treatment, promotion and protection.
“He must be held accountable… and severe sanctions need to be imposed in order for a strong and clear message to be sent to such extremist spiritual saboteurs…
“Chetty’s post is unwarranted, offensive, insensitive, pernicious and prejudicial,” said Maharaj.