In a press statement released on Friday, 26 June 2020 by the South African Hindu Dharma Sabha has aligned with the South African Hindu Youth Movement who have lodged the official complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission, the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, the Film and Publication Board and social media platform, Facebook.

1. 26 June 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CRIMEN INJURIA CHARGES LAID
Ram Maharaj, President of the South African Hindu Dharma Sabha, on Thursday 25 June 2020, has filed crimen
injuria charges against Evangelist Simeon Bradley Chetty and Reverend Llewelyn Joseph at the Chatsworth Police
Station.
The South African Hindu Dharma Sabha jointly with the South African Hindu Youth Movement have lodged official
complaints with the South African Human Rights Commission, the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of
the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, the Film and Publication Board and Facebook. The
state president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has also been requested to ensure the review and tightening of current legislation
to prevent religious defamation and Hindu bashing.
The purported apologies tendered by Chetty and Joseph are acknowledged but unacceptable as they are seemingly
hypocritical. Their vicious attacks against Hinduism were patently premeditated, unprovoked, wilful and
unwarranted. They must accept responsibility for their inappropriate actions and face the consequences thereof.
No one can escape the Law of Karma.
The anti-Hindu comments by Chetty and Joseph are hurtful, denigratory, incendiary, discriminatory and divisive.
They are peddling false narratives.
Chetty’s statement that: “They (Hindus) worship idols and worship other gods” is devoid of truth and maliciously
misleading.
Hindus do not indulge in idol worship but ideal worship. Most Hindus pray through murthis or personalised tangible
images symbolising the formless, nameless, infinite, eternal, universal Supreme Divine Reality called God.
According to the holy Rigveda, the oldest book in the library of Humanity and the pristine source of spiritual
knowledge on earth, dating back approximately 6 000 BC, it is stated that: “God is One. People call Him by many
names” (1.164.46). Evidently, Hindus were the first true believers in the One living, loving Lord of all creation.
Joseph’s deceptive and disingenuous association of spirits and curses with the sacred festival of Kavady is
defamatory. Kavady, inter alia, strengthens devotion to God and teaches us that balance is required in our daily
lives.
The religious slanders are deeply demeaning, invasive and violative of the religious rights of Hindus as guaranteed
by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
The statements by Chetty and Joseph amount to hate speech. Furthermore, they are in flagrant violation of the
Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000. Freedom of expression should not
impinge on the freedom of conscience of any religious group. Gone are the oppressive colonial and Apartheid
regimes when Christianity ruled supreme. Today, in our new democratic, all-inclusive South Africa all religions are
constitutionally accorded equal respect, status and treatment.
Trampling upon Hindu sensitivities with impunity cannot be allowed.
ENDS
Issued by:
The South African Hindu Dharma Sabha.
For enquiries contact:
Ram Maharaj
President: South African Hindu Dharma Sabha
+27 71 5544 181. onlineoffice031@gmail.com
Vedhan Singh
Communications Advisor
+27 78 120 7885. vedhansingh@gmail.com