Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has condemned the setting alight of the holy scripture Ramayan by vandals at the Nav Durga Mandir Ramayan Mandali Baulevu Landing in Nausori this morning.
Chaudhry says it is a grave act of sacrilege and must be swiftly investigated to bring its perpetrators to justice.
He says Fiji is a multi-racial country with freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution and we have past experience of such despicable acts being committed closer to elections to harass the Hindu community.
The FLP Leader says his plea to police is to give the matter due urgency and provide the required level of security to the Hindu community of Baulevu in the coming days.
Meanwhile police have confirmed their team was at the site today and investigations continue.
Vineshwar Sharma who is the priest at the temple has told Legend FM news that they received a call at around 6am and were informed about smoke coming out of the temple.
Sharma says upon their arrival, they saw that the door and a window was broken and the Ramayan was on fire.
He says they managed to put out the fire just in time and are grateful that they were able to save the temple from being engulfed in flames.
Sharma says they believe the suspects were looking for coins but they could not find any.
He says this has happened after a very long time and it is unfortunate that some people do not have respect for religion.
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