In the latest development in Fiji’s constitutional review debate, National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad warned political actors against turning national identity into a tool for division, insisting the word “Fijian” should remain a unifying label for all citizens.
Professor Prasad told reporters the NFP “fully supports the use of ‘Fijian’ as a common identity for all citizens,” arguing the term fosters pride and patriotism. “Calling every Fiji citizen a Fijian inculcates pride and patriotism,” he said, adding that the label can strengthen social cohesion if embraced voluntarily across communities.
Prasad’s comments came as submissions to the Constitution Review — including ones attributed to the Great Council of Chiefs — have reopened long-standing debates about identity and terminology. He criticised those he said were using the review process to reignite racial arguments, describing such moves as “deliberately being divisive.”
“The question of a common identity is not one that can just be created by a law,” Prasad said, urging that identity must be “embraced collectively” rather than imposed. He warned against attempts to settle sensitive cultural and national questions solely by legal fiat, saying that genuine unity requires broad social buy-in.
To underline his point about the historical use of the term, Professor Prasad cited internationally recognised Fijians such as Josefa Levula, Waisele Serevi and Vijay Singh, noting the international community used “Fijian” long before any legislative definition. “People forget that we were being called Fijians by the international community long before it was legislated,” he said.
Prasad pressed for the constitutional review to be guided by dialogue and consensus rather than opportunism. “These must not be used by opportunists to invoke racist emotions… that have the potential to fan racial flames,” he warned, calling for contributors to the review process to prioritise unity and mutual respect.
His intervention aligns with wider concerns about maintaining social harmony during the review: human rights and anti-discrimination advocates have previously cautioned against speech and actions that could inflame racial or religious tensions. Prasad said any final decisions from the review “must reflect consensus and strengthen Fiji’s multi-ethnic society,” framing the debate as a test of the country’s ability to reconcile diverse histories and identities without deepening faultlines.
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