Premila Kumar, an opposition member, has expressed concern over recent incidents of religious intolerance directed at the Hindu community. In her statements, she condemned the recent desecration of the Ramayan and a stone-pelting incident during Ram Naumi celebrations, calling for unity and justice in response to these unsettling events.
Kumar highlighted that the recent desecration at the Vunicuicui Shiv Mandir in Labasa, which coincided with the beginning of Ram Naumi celebrations, was a deliberate act designed to hurt the sentiments and beliefs of Hindus. She called such actions calculated attempts to cause pain to those deeply rooted in their faith.
As Fiji prepares to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Ram, Kumar emphasized the rising concerns regarding religious intolerance, indicating that the desecration was not an isolated incident but part of a troubling trend. She pointed to another incident on the first day of Ram Naumi when a temple in Bayview Heights was targeted during prayers, raising alarm about the growing disrespect towards sacred spaces.
Kumar urged the government to take decisive action against those responsible for these acts, criticizing the inadequate media coverage of such incidents that could further fuel divisions within the community. She expressed frustration with leaders who remain silent on these issues, believing that their inaction enables the spread of intolerance.
This plea for unity comes at a time when leaders from various communities, including Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, have similarly condemned acts of sacrilege in Fiji. They stress the necessity of mutual respect and protective measures for places of worship to ensure the maintenance of harmony within the nation’s diverse society.
In fostering a spirit of dialogue and cooperation, community leaders hope that these challenges can be used as opportunities to reinforce shared values. By engaging in constructive discussions during religious gatherings and celebrations, there lies potential for fostering greater understanding and tolerance across Fiji’s multicultural landscape.
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