The Fiji Police Force is investigating an official complaint concerning a video that has emerged, featuring a police officer who is also a pastor making derogatory remarks about the Diwali celebrations and other religious festivals. Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has confirmed that both the Criminal Investigations Department and the Internal Affairs unit are scrutinizing the officer’s behavior.
Tudravu has condemned the officer’s remarks as inciteful, stressing the significance of respecting the diverse faiths represented in Fiji’s multicultural society. The Shree Sanatan Dharm Purohit Brahman Maha Sabha Fiji has articulated its concerns, labeling the comments as offensive and divisive. In the video, the pastor urged Christians to refrain from participating in national and cultural celebrations, mischaracterizing these events as “praying to demons.”
Pundit Satnesh Sharma, the National President of the Maha Sabha, criticized the pastor’s assertions for being disrespectful to Fiji’s multicultural ethos and noted that they undermine the values of peace and unity enshrined in the nation’s constitution. The Maha Sabha is pushing for immediate disciplinary action against the pastor from the Fiji Police Force and has submitted formal complaints to relevant ministries and the CID.
Opposition MP Vijay Nath has also called for prompt and decisive measures against the pastor, indicating that such conduct poses a significant threat to national harmony. He emphasized that unity should be prioritized in challenging times rather than division.
Human Rights Commissioner Chantelle Khan shared similar views, describing the officer’s derogatory comments as damaging to Fiji’s social cohesion. She reaffirmed that every individual should be allowed to practice their faith respectfully and highlighted that hate speech against any religious or ethnic group contravenes the law.
As calls for unity and tolerance echo among various community leaders, there is a collective push for dialogue and respect between different faith groups. While this incident presents challenges, it also serves as an opportunity for Fiji to reinforce its commitment to interfaith harmony and diversity.
This situation underscores the ongoing struggles with religious intolerance in Fiji while revealing the strong resolve among its communities to uphold shared values of respect, unity, and understanding.