Following the inciteful comments and swear words in a facebook post made by Fijian Teachers Association General Secretary, Paula Manumanunitoga, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran says an individual who offloads such vitriol is entirely unfit to lead a professional educators' organisation.
Kiran says it is incredible that this same individual has been aggressively pushing for the return of corporal punishment for our children.
The Minister says our innocent young ones need care, love, values, and strong mentorship to navigate through life - not the beating and violence Manumanunitoga has been advocating for.
She says championing physical violence against children while spewing hatred against our citizens says everything we need to know about his toxic leadership.
Kiran says because these actions stand in direct opposition to the fundamental values of mentorship, respect, and safety, she calls on Manumanunitoga to resign from his post immediately.
She adds if he refuses to step down, the organisation must act to decisively to remove him, sending a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated.
She says the use of threatening language, and physical intimidation directed at any community within Fiji is entirely unacceptable, and she unequivocally condemns it.
Kiran says invoking violence and division in the name of indigenous heritage directly insults the traditional chiefs of our land and completely misrepresents their historical legacy of generosity, wisdom, and inclusive leadership.
She says such language directly insults the immense generosity of our chiefs, who have continuously opened their hearts to foster unity.
The Minister says we must remember that the descendants of indentured labourers belong to this nation, they have worked hard and contributed to every facet of life for more than a century.
Kiran says the comments directly insult our chiefs as descendents of indentured labourers have been formally welcomed and adopted into the Vanua of Noco and Rewa under the traditional title Luvedra na Ratu—the Children of the Chief.
Kiran says to unleash such vitriol against a people who belong in every aspect and have been embraced by the Vanua is a deep dishonour to the sacred relationship boundaries and compassion established by our traditional leaders.
Kiran says the newly tabled Constitution Amendment Bill explicitly embraces all citizens.
She says its preamble recognizes the descendants of Girmitiyas and all those who continue to make their permanent homes in Fiji as foundational, irreplaceable parts of our multicultural society.
The Minister adds the Bill guarantees equal status, identity, and common citizenship, legally cementing the fact that every single citizen belongs here.
Kiran says such language purports hatred and creates toxic division at a critical time when Fiji is actively trying to move forward and foster genuine national unity.
She says every citizen, regardless of their background, race, or ancestry, belongs in Fiji, every individual has an equal right to participate in our nation's political and civic life, express peaceful opinions, and live completely free from fear and harassment.
Kiran says this week, as we mark Fiji Day under the banner of building an inclusive, resilient future, our nation desperately needs messages from our leaders that unite us as one people, rather than hate speech that tears us apart.
She says true progress and social cohesion can only be achieved when deep-rooted historical and political debates are approached through respectful dialogue, mutual understanding, and a shared commitment to democratic principles and human rights for all.
Serious concerns are being raised after discriminatory comments and swear words used in a recent facebook post by Manumanunitoga.
While telling people not to discredit the chiefs of the country, Manumanunitoga asks didn't anyone tell you how and why you are here in this country instead of your original country.
He says you and your kind are here because of the decision our chiefs made to cede Fiji to Queen Victoria of Great Britain in October 1874.
Manumanunitoga goes on to use swear words and tells people to just mind their own business before "we catch you and roast you in earth ovens."
People have reached out to us saying this is unbecoming of a General Secretary of a teachers organisation, and are calling on authorities to take action.
They say the inciteful and discriminatory comments, and the swear words are unacceptable.
Some say it is also worse coming from the same person calling for corporal punishment to be reintroduced to correct our children.
When contacted by fijivillage News, Manumanunitoga, defended his comments saying his message was directed at a few who he accused of swearing at the chiefs.
He says he is proud to be an iTaukei and that he did not like seeing people swear at or disrespect the chiefs of the country.
We have also sought comments from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, Great Council of Chiefs Chairman Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, the Fiji Human Rights and Anti Discrimination Commission, the Police, and the Online Safety Commission.
