The South African Hindu Dharma Sabha has asked education authorities to increase Indian South African history in school textbooks under revision. President Ram Maharaj says current coverage minimises the community’s role since the arrival of indentured labourers in 1860. The organisation calls for at least double the existing content across grades.
International
-Sathish Raman
A leading Hindu body in South Africa has asked education authorities to avoid reducing Indian history in revised school textbooks. The South African Hindu Dharma Sabha said Indians are a minority community. Yet, the group said Indian contributions should appear more clearly across school grades during the current curriculum updates.
The South African Hindu Dharma Sabha has asked education authorities to increase Indian South African history in school textbooks under revision. President Ram Maharaj says current coverage minimises the community’s role since the arrival of indentured labourers in 1860. The organisation calls for at least double the existing content across grades.
In an open letter, SAHDS president Ram Maharaj said Indian history must be properly reflected in the syllabus. Maharaj said the organisation made a similar call decades ago. Maharaj noted that SAHDS adopted a unanimous resolution in 1981. The decision came at its inaugural National Hindu Convention in Durban.
Indian history in South Africa textbooks under revision
“The history of Indians in South Africa cannot and must not be airbrushed away in history books. We demand that the current content on the history of Indians be at least doubled across all grades, because minorities matter,\” Maharaj said. Maharaj alleged current coverage is an affront. Maharaj said it erases major Indian contributions to South Africa’s development.
Maharaj said Indians have shaped South Africa since arriving as indentured labourers in 1860. Maharaj said this impact spans economic, cultural, political and social life. \”To diminish this legacy in our textbooks is to diminish the truth itself,\” Maharaj said. Maharaj added that better coverage could aid interracial understanding, social cohesion and nation building.
Indian history in South Africa and the indentured labourer legacy
Maharaj said more space for Indian struggles could also correct claims of historic privilege. \”It must be recorded that our great indentured ancestors toiled tirelessly, and lived in slave-like conditions, incessantly suffering from torture and trauma, deprivation and discrimination.\” Maharaj said later generations focused on education. Maharaj said Indians worked through hardship over time.
The SAHDS urged textbook writers to cover the suffering and sacrifices of indentured Indians. The organisation also asked for fuller mention of Indian roles in the anti-apartheid fight. It linked that struggle to the election of Nelson Mandela. Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically-elected president after apartheid ended.
Indian history in South Africa and the anti-apartheid struggle
Maharaj said the Natal Indian Congress began the fight against injustice early. Maharaj noted it was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1894. Maharaj said this was nearly 20 years before the African National Congress formed. The letter said this timeline should be clear in history lessons for students.
Maharaj also asked for recognition of Indian figures and community builders. Maharaj named the Padavatan brothers and Valliamma. Maharaj also listed philanthropists VN Naik, ML Sultan, Narend Pattundeen, AM Moola, RK Khan, and HE Joosab. Maharaj said they helped set up schools and hospitals for the community.
The letter also called for mention of discrimination against Hindus during the colonial era. The SAHDS said textbooks should note temple demolitions and forced resettlement. Maharaj said accurate history would support unity in diversity. Maharaj said it would also build greater harmony in South Africa through fair portrayal.
With inputs from PTI
