Concerns over possible religiously motivated attacks on Hindu temples have been raised in Parliament, with Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs Charan Jeath Singh stressing that each vandalism case must be assessed based on evidence before determining the motive.
While responding to a question by Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu on incidents of vandalism involving Hindu temples reported around the country since 2024 and programs or initiatives to educate our young people on respecting different religions and promoting religious tolerance and social cohesion, Singh says the ministry strongly condemns any act of vandalism, damage or desecration of places of worship, whether it involves Hindu temples, churches, mosques or any other places of religious significance.
He says such acts have no place in our society and are contrary to the values of respect, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence that Fiji seeks to promote as a nation.
Singh says the ministry has visited a number of affected and engaged directly with respective communities and have observed the circumstances surrounding these incidents are not necessarily the same.
The Minister says some incidents appear to be isolated, while others appear to be opportunistic in nature.
Singh stresses that we must also recognize that many places of worship, particularly temples, are located in areas that are easily accessible to the public with limited on-site presence, caretakers, or security outside the hours of worship.
He says at the same time, there have been a few incidents where circumstances have understandably raised concerns with affected communities as to whether they have been religiously motivated.
Singh says that they do not dismiss these concerns, nor do they deny that there has been an issue that needs to be addressed.
However, the Minister says it is equally important that we do not reduce individual cases.
Singh highlights that determining whether incidents are humanly or religiously motivated remains a matter of appropriate law, enforcement authorities based on evidence available.
He says the Ministry plans around 70 outreach and community engagement sessions this financial year, promoting religious tolerance, mutual respect and social cohesion across diverse communities.
Singh says the Ministry also support religious and community organisations with facility improvements and plans to strengthen engagement with young people on religious tolerance, multiculturalism and Fiji’s cultural diversity.
He adds they are exploring UNESCO technical assistance and expertise to strengthen dialogue, mutual understanding and social cohesion among Fiji’s diverse communities.
Seruiratu also questioned whether Singh has visited the Rabi and Kioa communities to understand their concerns, to which Singh responded that Ministry officials have visited the communities, conducted assessments and overseen projects, adding that he does not need to personally visit the communities to ensure the work is done.
Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko says a suspect has been arrested over the recent vandalism of a Hindu temple on Howell Road, with CCTV footage from a nearby school allegedly used to identify the suspect.
Jitoko says the suspect, who is being held at Samabula Police Station, is Indo-Fijian and is involved in performing at religious festivals.
He says the information was provided to him by his taxi driver, Ashwin, and was confirmed by the Minister for Policing.
Jitoko says while he fully supports concerns raised over temple vandalism, he wanted to put the latest incident into perspective.
Singh also responded to questions from Seruiratu about his absence from Parliament on Monday night during a debate on the sugar industry, saying he had misheard and believed he had been suspended from Parliament for one and a half days and did not return until the Secretary called him to clarify that the suspension was for one and a half hours.
