The Vishva Hindu Parishad Fiji has strongly denounced the heinous desecration of sacred idols at the Sanatan Shiv Mandir in Samabula on Friday and is urging the Government to implement robust measures that safeguards places of worship and strengthen laws that criminalize acts of sacrilege.
Parishad National President Jay Dayaal says this appalling incident of vandalism is not merely an attack on our faith and community, but an affront to the principles of humanity, religious harmony and national unity.
He says any act of sacrilege and religious tolerance is deplorable and must be condemned in the strongest terms.
Dayaal says it was deeply disturbing to see an iconoclast unleash his venomous aggression by vandalizing the sacred idols which were consecrated more a century ago at one of the most prominent temples, the Samabula Shiv Mandir.
He says this act of vandalism is not merely a hate crime, but an attack on the very foundations of our Hindu faith.
Dayaal says such acts of vandalism appear deliberate and targeted, which raises grave concerns about the disturbing patterns of hostility being directed towards our temples, desecration of holy scriptures and the community at large.
The Parishad President says hate crimes are fuelled by religious prejudices, bigotry, stereotypes and supremacist ideologies and this is an anathema to a multi-cultural society like Fiji.
He says moreover, despite numerous advocacies on multiculturalism and social cohesion, it is very disappointing to see that acts of sacrilege rears its ugly head time and again.
Dayaal says they are urging all Fijians to strongly reject all forms of religious intolerance and acts of vandalism and show respect to all places of worship.
They also acknowledge that the perpetrator of this heinous crime is currently in police custody.
The Parishad is also calling on the authorities to ensure that this perpetrator is brought to justice and faces the full brunt of the law.
Dayaal says the Parishad is also calling on community leaders, faith-based organisations and the civil society to stand in solidarity and speak out against this dastardly act of religious bigotry.
He says let us exercise our shared responsibilities in upholding the values of religious harmony, unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
Dayaal adds may strength, resilience and divine guidance prevail as we navigate this painful tragedy.
Meanwhile, the suspect who allegedly entered and desecrated the temple has been referred for a psychiatric evaluation.
