The Citizen reports that Hindu groups are calling for the most important national festival for the religion, Deepavali or Diwali, to be considered for inclusion on the SA calendar as a public holiday in terms of the Public Holidays Act of 1994.  

The SA Hindu Dharma Sabha and the SA Hindu Youth Movement have jointly made written submissions in that regard to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the minister of home affairs and the chairperson of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities.  President of the Youth Movement and national executive council member of the Dharma Sabha, Vedhan Singh, said:  “In our all-inclusive developmental democracy, it is imperative that we develop a calendar that is more inclusive, reflecting unity in diversity.  The inclusion of Deepavali will enhance inter-religious respect, understanding, goodwill and harmony.”  He went on to say:  “There should be no domination and/or discrimination by one group over another based on grounds of race or religion, and the democratic constitution of South Africa accords all religions equal recognition, respect, status and treatment.”  The suggestion is that Family Day, which has no spiritual significance, should be removed and replaced by Deepavali Day.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Conelia Harry on page 4 of The Citizen of 24 November 2020

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