'Hate and discrimination': Temple attack sparks outrage in Fiji's Indo-Fijian community
Photo:
Screengrab / The Fiji Times
Fiji's former attorney-general claims attacks on the Indo-Fijian community are on the rise and the government is largely ignoring them.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum made the
scathing comment
after the historic Samabula Shiv Temple in Suva was vandalised on Friday.
The incident - which saw 100-year-old idols destroyed - has sparked outrage amongst religious organisations and politicians alike.
A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of alleged sacrilege and one count of throwing an object.
Local media report that Samuela Tawake made his first court appearance on Monday and has been transferred to the Chief Magistrate for psychiatric evaluation.
He has been remanded in custody, and the case adjourned to 28 July.
Samuela Tawase made his first appearance before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad in the Suva Magistrate's Court on Monday afternoon. 14 July 2025
Photo:
Screengrab / The Fiji Times
A video was said to have gone viral on Facebook showing a man on a rampage, smashing all of the deities in the sanctum, including one of Lord Shiva.
Police commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has
expressed concern
about the hateful rhetoric surrounding the incident and has called for calm.
Tudravu said police investigations would determine the motive behind the attack and baseless speculation only aggravated the situation.
The Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji is demanding the government step up protection for places of worship and strengthen laws around sacrilege.
Sabha president Dhirendra Nand said a man reportedly scaled the temple fence, pryed open a door and destroyed all sacred idols in the sanctum with an iron bar, before trying to assault the caretaker.
Nand said the spiritual and emotional damage caused to the Hindu community,
who make up around 24 percent of the population
, was immeasurable and had left thousands of devotees across Fiji deeply hurt.
The Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji has
also strongly condemned the vandalism
, describing it as "deeply disturbing."
"The Arya Sabha views such actions as criminal and an attack on the fundamental principles of religious freedom, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence that form the foundation of Fiji's multicultural society," it said in a statement.
Sayed-Khaiyum said in a Facebook post on Sunday said that the desecration was "the act of an individual, possibly radicalised to execute religious hatred with purpose."
He questioned why Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has yet to make a statement denouncing this "egregious act of hate."
"Inconsistent concern and commitment by the Prime Minister about hate speech and discrimination gives rise to, comfort and encouragement radical ethno nationalists who engage the political game of 'us' and 'them'," Sayed-Khaiyum wrote.
"If not reined in and spoken against in the harshest of terms by our leaders and those in positions of authority, then such acts will only give more oxygen to others who already have or are vulnerable to hate and discrimination."
Sayed-Khaiyum said the desecration of non-Christian places of worship started when "overt and blatant hate was espoused against Indo-Fijians in 1987, to justify the overthrow of the (Timoci) Bavadra government," he wrote.
"This was further fuelled during and after the overthrow of the Coalition government in 2000 when Mahendra Chaudhry was elected as the first Indo-Fijian Prime Minister."
Sayed-Khaiyum said that the rise in attacks against Indo-Fijians is being "increasingly accepted as the norm under the current leadership.
"A number of attacks on places of worship are not even reported because many in the Indo-Fijian community have lost hope that anything will be done."
One of Fiji's deputy prime ministers Biman Prasad
told podcaster
RonCast
that such sacrilege had occurred in the past and should be condemned.
He said the suspect's motives were unclear and it was up to the police to determine them.
In a Facebook post, Labour leader Chaudhry said the rise in such incidents demanded collective action and heightened awareness from all stakeholders.
However, the former prime minister urged the public not to interpret the attack as a sign of growing religious intolerance in Fiji.
While it was natural for Hindus to feel outraged, Friday's incident appeared to have involved an individual with mental impairment, he wrote.
"Any attack on a temple causing destruction of sacred scriptures and statues leaves deep scars and can be divisive in a multi-religious society.
"We encourage a proactive approach, including improved surveillance, community vigilance and collaboration with law enforcement agencies to safeguard our sacred spaces from further acts of desecration and hate crimes,"
The Vishva Hindu Parishad Fiji has also strongly denounced the "heinous desecration" of sacred idols at the temple.
The national president Jay Dayaal stated that any act of sacrilege and religious intolerance is "deplorable and must be condemned in the strongest terms."
"Hate crimes are fuelled by religious prejudices, bigotry, stereotypes and supremacist ideologies. This is an anathema to a multi-cultural society like Fiji," Dayaal said.
Opposition MP Virendra Lal called for religious tolerance from all sectors of society.
"I have faith that the police will ensure justice is served because our god idols were destroyed. They are sacred to us," he said.
Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs also condemned the action, with its chairman labelling the attack as "senseless destruction", according to
The Fiji Times
.
RNZ Pacific has reached out to Rabuka's office for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
10 hours ago
- Scoop
David Robie: New Zealand Must Do More For Pacific And Confront Nuclear Powers
Article – RNZ The New Zealand government needs to do more for its Pacific Island neighbours and stand up to nuclear powers, a distinguished journalist, media educator and author says., Pacific Waves presenter/producer Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/bulletin editor The New Zealand government needs to do more for its Pacific Island neighbours and stand up to nuclear powers, a distinguished journalist, media educator and author says. Professor David Robie, a recipient of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), released the latest edition of his book Eyes of Fire: The last voyage of the Rainbow Warrior, which highlights the nuclear legacies of the United States and France. Robie, who has worked in Pacific journalism and academia for 50 years, recounts his experiences aboard the Greenpeace vessel the Rainbow Warrior in 1985, before it was bombed in Auckland Harbour. At the time, New Zealand stood up to nuclear powers, he said. 'It was pretty callous [of] the US and French authorities to think they can just carry on nuclear tests in the Pacific, far away from the metropolitan countries, out of the range of most media, and just do what they like,' Robie told RNZ Pacific. 'It is shocking, really.' Speaking to Pacific Waves, Robie said that Aotearoa had forgotten how to stand up for the region. 'The real issue in the Pacific is about climate crisis and climate justice. And we're being pushed this way and that by the US [and] by the French. The French want to make a stake in their Indo-Pacific policies as well,' he said. 'We need to stand up for smaller Pacific countries.' Robie believes that New Zealand is failing with its diplomacy in the region. He accused the coalition government of being 'too timid' and 'afraid of offending President Donald Trump' to make a stand on the nuclear issue. However, a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand's 'overarching priority…is to work with Pacific partners to achieve a secure, stable, and prosperous region that preserves Pacific sovereignty and agency'. The spokesperson said that through its foreign policy reset, New Zealand was committed to 'comprehensive relationships' with Pacific Island countries. 'New Zealand's identity, prosperity and security are intertwined with the Pacific through deep cultural, people, historical, security, and economic linkages.' The New Zealand government commits almost 60 percent of its development funding to the region. The spokesperson said that the Pacific was becoming increasingly contested and complex. 'New Zealand has been clear with all of our partners that it is important that engagement in the Pacific takes place in a manner which advances Pacific priorities, is consistent with established regional practices, and supportive of Pacific regional institutions.' They added that New Zealand's main focus remains on the Pacific, 'where we will be working with partners including the United States, Australia, Japan and in Europe to more intensively leverage greater support for the region. 'We will maintain the high tempo of political engagement across the Pacific to ensure alignment between our programme and New Zealand and partner priorities. And we will work more strategically with Pacific Governments to strengthen their systems, so they can better deliver the services their people need,' the spokesperson said. But former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, writing in the preface of Robie's book, said: 'New Zealand needs to re-emphasise the principles and values which drove its nuclear-free legislation and its advocacy for a nuclear-free South Pacific and global nuclear disarmament.' Robie added that looking back 40 years to the 1980s, there was a strong sense of pride in being from Aotearoa, the small country which set an example around the world. 'We took on…the nuclear powers,' Robie said. 'And the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was symbolic of that struggle, in a way, but it was a struggle that most New Zealanders felt a part of, and we were very proud of that [anti-nuclear] role that we took. Over the years, it has sort of been forgotten'. 'Look at history' France conducted 193 nuclear tests over three decades until 1996 in French Polynesia. Until 2009, France claimed that its tests were clean and caused no harm, but in 2010, under the stewardship of Defence Minister Herve Morin, a compensation law was passed. From 1946 to 1962, 67 nuclear bombs were detonated in the Marshall Islands by the US. In 2024, then-US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, while responding to a question from RNZ Pacific about America's nuclear legacy, said: 'Washington has attempted to address it constructively with massive resources and a sustained commitment.' However, Robie said that was not good enough and labelled the destruction left behind by the US, and France, as 'outrageous'. 'It is political speak; politicians trying to cover their backs and so on. If you look at history, [the response] is nowhere near good enough, both by the US and the French.
Scoop
11 hours ago
- Scoop
David Robie: New Zealand Must Do More For Pacific And Confront Nuclear Powers
Article – RNZ The New Zealand government needs to do more for its Pacific Island neighbours and stand up to nuclear powers, a distinguished journalist, media educator and author says., Pacific Waves presenter/producer Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/bulletin editor The New Zealand government needs to do more for its Pacific Island neighbours and stand up to nuclear powers, a distinguished journalist, media educator and author says. Professor David Robie, a recipient of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), released the latest edition of his book Eyes of Fire: The last voyage of the Rainbow Warrior, which highlights the nuclear legacies of the United States and France. Robie, who has worked in Pacific journalism and academia for 50 years, recounts his experiences aboard the Greenpeace vessel the Rainbow Warrior in 1985, before it was bombed in Auckland Harbour. At the time, New Zealand stood up to nuclear powers, he said. 'It was pretty callous [of] the US and French authorities to think they can just carry on nuclear tests in the Pacific, far away from the metropolitan countries, out of the range of most media, and just do what they like,' Robie told RNZ Pacific. 'It is shocking, really.' Speaking to Pacific Waves, Robie said that Aotearoa had forgotten how to stand up for the region. 'The real issue in the Pacific is about climate crisis and climate justice. And we're being pushed this way and that by the US [and] by the French. The French want to make a stake in their Indo-Pacific policies as well,' he said. 'We need to stand up for smaller Pacific countries.' Robie believes that New Zealand is failing with its diplomacy in the region. He accused the coalition government of being 'too timid' and 'afraid of offending President Donald Trump' to make a stand on the nuclear issue. However, a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand's 'overarching priority…is to work with Pacific partners to achieve a secure, stable, and prosperous region that preserves Pacific sovereignty and agency'. The spokesperson said that through its foreign policy reset, New Zealand was committed to 'comprehensive relationships' with Pacific Island countries. 'New Zealand's identity, prosperity and security are intertwined with the Pacific through deep cultural, people, historical, security, and economic linkages.' The New Zealand government commits almost 60 percent of its development funding to the region. The spokesperson said that the Pacific was becoming increasingly contested and complex. 'New Zealand has been clear with all of our partners that it is important that engagement in the Pacific takes place in a manner which advances Pacific priorities, is consistent with established regional practices, and supportive of Pacific regional institutions.' They added that New Zealand's main focus remains on the Pacific, 'where we will be working with partners including the United States, Australia, Japan and in Europe to more intensively leverage greater support for the region. 'We will maintain the high tempo of political engagement across the Pacific to ensure alignment between our programme and New Zealand and partner priorities. And we will work more strategically with Pacific Governments to strengthen their systems, so they can better deliver the services their people need,' the spokesperson said. But former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, writing in the preface of Robie's book, said: 'New Zealand needs to re-emphasise the principles and values which drove its nuclear-free legislation and its advocacy for a nuclear-free South Pacific and global nuclear disarmament.' Robie added that looking back 40 years to the 1980s, there was a strong sense of pride in being from Aotearoa, the small country which set an example around the world. 'We took on…the nuclear powers,' Robie said. 'And the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was symbolic of that struggle, in a way, but it was a struggle that most New Zealanders felt a part of, and we were very proud of that [anti-nuclear] role that we took. Over the years, it has sort of been forgotten'. 'Look at history' France conducted 193 nuclear tests over three decades until 1996 in French Polynesia. Until 2009, France claimed that its tests were clean and caused no harm, but in 2010, under the stewardship of Defence Minister Herve Morin, a compensation law was passed. From 1946 to 1962, 67 nuclear bombs were detonated in the Marshall Islands by the US. In 2024, then-US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, while responding to a question from RNZ Pacific about America's nuclear legacy, said: 'Washington has attempted to address it constructively with massive resources and a sustained commitment.' However, Robie said that was not good enough and labelled the destruction left behind by the US, and France, as 'outrageous'. 'It is political speak; politicians trying to cover their backs and so on. If you look at history, [the response] is nowhere near good enough, both by the US and the French.
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- RNZ News
Fiji govt offers NZ$1.5m settlement to former anti-corruption head for ruined career
Barbara Malimali Photo: X/Fiji Women The Fijian government looks set to pay around NZ$1.5 million in damages to the disgraced former head of the country's anti-corruption agency. The state is offering Barbara Malimali an out-of-court settlement after her lawyer lodged a judicial review of her sacking in the High Court in Suva. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka suspended Malimali from her role on 29 May, following a damning Commission of Inquiry into her appointment. Malimali was described as "universally corrupt" by Justice David Ashton-Lewis, the commissioner of the nine-week investigation, which involved 35 witnesses. "She was a pawn in the hands of devious members of government, who wanted any allegations against them or other government members thrown out," Ashton-Lewis told Pacific Waves earlier this month. Tanya Waqanika, who acts for Malimali, told RNZ Pacific that her client is seeking a "substantial" payout for damages and unpaid dues. Waqanika met lawyers from the Attorney-General's Office in the capital, Suva, on Tuesday after earlier negotiations failed. She declined to say exactly what was discussed, but said she expected to hear back in writing from the other party the same day. A High Court judge has given the government up until 3pm on Friday to reach a settlement, otherwise he will rule on the application on Monday. "We'll see what they come up with, that's the beauty of negotiations, but NZ$1.5 million would be a good amount to play with after your career has been ruined," Waqanika said. "[Malimali's] career spans over 27 years, but it is now down the drain thanks to Ashton-Lewis and the damage the inquiry report has done." She said Malimali also wanted a public apology, as she was being defamed every day in the social media. "I don't expect we'll get one out of Ashton-Lewis," she said. During a hearing in the High Court on Monday, lawyers for the state sought an adjournment to discuss a settlement with Waqanika. However, she opposed this, saying that the government's legal team had vast resources and they should have been prepared for the hearing. Malimali filed a case against President Naiqama Lalabalavu, Rabuka and the Attorney-General on 13 June on the grounds that her suspension was unconstitutional. Waqanika said the President suspended her on the advice of the Prime Minister instead of consulting the Judicial Services Commission. Government lawyers approached Waqanika offering a compensation deal the same day she lodged a judicial review in the High Court.
