Police investigations are still ongoing in relation to the separate cases of alleged sacrilege in Nausori on Thursday where two Hindu temples in Baulevu and Vuci were broken into.
Police have confirmed that no one has been arrested yet.
We have also asked police on whether these are isolated incidents or politically motivated for some sort of political gain or to create fear among the Hindu community as the incidents only involve Hindu temples.
They are yet to respond.
Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had yesterday said that the burning of the Ramayan at the Nav Durga Temple was a disrespectful act committed by cowards that has no place in Fiji.
On his official social media page, Sayed-Khaiyum said this desecration harkens to the darkest chapter of Fijian history when this same temple was attacked after the 1987 coup by political figures seeking to create ethnic and religious animosity among our people.
He says today every Fijian has the constitutional right to worship in peace and practice their faith freely.
While responding to Sayed-Khaiyum’s post, National Federation Party President Pio Tikoduadua says while acts of religious sacrilege should rightfully be condemned, saying that it was an act of animosity without conclusive evidence is not helpful.
Tikoduadua says it does nothing but stir up fear and ill-will between communities and adds Sayed-Khaiyum even brings up 1987.
The NFP President says this reminds us of the same thing done in 2018 where a temple was desecrated in Nadi and they used it as a political point and until now, no outcome of the investigation has been announced and no arrests have been made.
Meanwhile NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad was at the Baulevu Temple today where he handed over a new holy book of Ramayan to the members.
Prasad has also called on police to thoroughly investigate this matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.
People's Alliance Party Leader Sitiveni Rabuka says the alleged act of sacrilege at the Nav Durga Temple in Baulevu, Nausori is shocking and unacceptable.
Rabuka says the shocking news comes at a time when our country is struggling to get on its feet after an extremely difficult year.
He says there is no acceptable time or reason for such an act and for many of us, our faith has been the constant source of strength during these times of uncertainty and personal struggle.
The former Prime Minister is also urging those responsible to come forward and say let us not not add to an already painful time for us all.
Meanwhile Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has condemned the setting alight of the holy scripture Ramayan.
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.
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