Dialogue Fiji has welcomed the recommendation of the Fiji National Security and Defence Review report to seek formal approval from the Great Council of Chiefs for the use of the term ‘Fijian’ as a common national identity for all citizens.
They say this proposal is crucial for promoting social cohesion and is much needed for nation-building and involving the GCC in this process acknowledges their historical role and offers a path toward reconciliation.
Executive Director, Nilesh Lal says it provides a way forward that is sensitive to the complexities of the political and social realities.
Lal says it recognises the importance of ensuring that all communities feel included in the process of adopting a common national identity.
However, he also expressed his concern over insensitive and potentially inflammatory statements made by opposition MP, Ketan Lal, who criticised the involvement of the GCC in national identity discussions.
Lal says while in an ideal world, the use of a common national identity would not be contentious, Fiji’s situation is far from ideal.
He says just as everyone born in Australia is an Australian, or everyone born in India is an Indian, no right-thinking person should be opposed to referring to everyone born in Fiji as Fijian. Lal says using 'Fijian' as an adjective for Fiji should not be an issue and should be naturally extend to institutions and offices, much like the "Australian government" or "American government.
The Executive Director says the reason this became a contentious issue in Fiji is that the use of 'Fijian' was perceived by some as a usurpation of the ethnic label of the indigenous community.
He further says the fact that the previous government lacked trust of a broad cross-section of the indigenous community, and the government’s top-down implementation of the common national identity further compounded matters.
He adds Ketan Lal’s statement, unfortunately, reflects the same dismissive attitude that was shown by the previous government and if seeking the GCC’s endorsement can help reconcile differing views on the issue of national identity, then it is a step worth taking.
