CID investigates derogatory comments about Hindu and Muslim festivals made by pastor

The largest Hindu organisation in Fiji, Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji has formally lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department regarding Pastor Kartik Naidu, who is also a serving Police Officer, for making derogatory remarks about Hindu and Muslim festivals.

Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu has confirmed that the CID is investigating the matter, while Internal Affairs is also conducting an investigation into the officer’s conduct.

Tudravu says if the comments are found to be inciting or discriminatory towards other religions, the matter will be treated very seriously.

In a video being circulated on social media, Pastor Naidu is seen preaching that participation in Hindu and Muslim festivals such as Diwali, Ram Naumi, Navratri and Eid are demonic activities.

The video appears to have been recorded during a religious service in the presence of congregants before being shared on social media.

President of the Sabha, Dhirendra Nand says the utterances equating Diwali with “darkness” and claiming Hindus are “honouring their Satan god” are contrary to Section 17(1)(a)(ii) and Section 17(1)(a)(iv) of the Public Order Act, which make it an offence to promote feelings of enmity or ill-will between different races or communities or to incite or promote religious, ethnic or communal hatred or dislike.

The Sabha says it wants appropriate action to be taken under the relevant laws of Fiji, describing the pastor’s remarks as disrespectful and contrary to the country’s foundational values of racial and religious harmony.

They add that such rhetoric not only offends the sentiments of Hindus and Muslims in Fiji but also threatens the spirit of peaceful coexistence that all faiths and communities have long worked to preserve.

The Sabha also highlighted that the Fiji Police Force consistently promotes racial unity, interfaith cooperation and national peace through its community policing programs.

They say the remarks made by the pastor directly undermine the integrity and teachings of the Force and could damage public trust in its impartiality.

The Sabha reaffirmed its belief that places of worship should uplift humanity and that no faith should ever be used as a platform to degrade another.