Durban — On Monday night residents can expect to see the sky light up as many celebrate Diwali, a festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists across the world.
But over the years, around this time of year, hate speech has reared its head.
In 2020, Hindu bodies lay complaints against nine people over Diwali “hate speech”.
In 2018, the Daily News reported that Greytown businessman Regesh Govender took his neighbour, Johan Olivier, to court over a Facebook comment that Olivier made after Govender lit fireworks. Olivier was fined R10 000 or faced three years in prison.
In 2016, Durban duo Will MacGibbon and Dawie Kriel landed in hot water over their racist posts.
MacGibbon, who was later suspended by his employer, had posted that Indians celebrating Diwali were “low-class rubbish with no morals”.
Kriel, who was given a R6 000 fine or one-year jail term, posted that he could strangle Indians celebrating Diwali with his bare hands and derive great pleasure in watching their faces turning blue and their tongues popping out.
After a call in 2019, the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL) held public dialogues in Durban in an effort to mitigate conflict arising from hate speech against fireworks during Diwali.
President of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, Ashwin Trikamjee, said Hindus have the right to celebrate with fireworks, adding that he hoped all those celebrating would do so responsibly.
“The South African Hindu Maha Sabha has commissioned a team of attorneys who have generously volunteered to assist the community in anticipation of racism and anti-Hindu sentiment that usually flares during Diwali.
“It is our request that all pet owners exercise caution during this time, take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of your animals. We ask all body corporates to ensure that there is no discrimination against Hindu residents.”
Meanwhile, a resident of Durban, Vedhan Singh, speaking about the growing movement calling for a “green Diwali” – a Diwali in the absence of fireworks and flesh (meat) – said the use of fireworks was inextricably interwoven into Diwali celebrations.
His thoughts were that there appeared to be a growing, well-orchestrated, oppressive, neo-colonial, pro-conservative, anti-transformatory, West-inspired and -funded agenda gathering momentum to silence and sideline the Diwali celebrations in South Africa.
He said there are no fireworks without Diwali. There is no Diwali without fireworks. Fireworks are synonymous with Diwali celebrations. Therefore, the use of fireworks during Diwali is central and cardinal for Diwali celebrants.
“Obligatory and voluntary practices qualify for protection under the South African Constitution.”
Singh said that at the outset it should be understood that there is no Christmas without Christmas trees and crackers, without gift bags and wrapping, without turkey and roast.
“No Eid without garments and headgear, without feasts consisting of flesh. And no Easter without chocolate and bunnies wrapped in (decorated) foil, without hot cross buns in tin trays.”
Daily News