Lusi Banuve
From Fiji Sun
Stand First: The Votualevu Tirath Dam Mandir located within the Maharishi Sanatan College in Votualevu, Nadi on Saturday, December 16, 2017. The following morning, devotees found the Deities painted in red, foul language painted on the walls and rubbish strewn in the prayer area. The incident has outraged Prime Minister Josiah Voreqe Bainimarama, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and others.
Reports by Lusi Banuve
“Unacceptable and sad,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said as he visited the site on Tuesday, December 20, 2017 before flying out of the country.
He met with officials of the mandir who gave him a rundown of what had transpired over the last few days.
Stern Warning
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum reiterated the stern warning given by the Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho calling on those carrying out these acts of vandalism to immediately put a stop to it.
“We urge that this type of behaviour be stopped. This will not be condoned because every Fijian should have the ability to practice their faith without any hindrance and they should feel free to do so particularly in a place of worship. Every right-thinking Fijian should not condone this and so the Police are there now in large numbers to ensure that they carry out investigations properly,” he said.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum assured the Members of the Executive Committee of the Temple that the Government was truly concerned that such an incident could occur in Fiji.
Police following leads
Police are following several leads in the desecration of the Temple.
Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho visited the Temple on December 20, 2017 and met with its Committee Members, who expressed their disappointment at the violation of their place of worship.
“I came in earlier today and had a briefing with the Officer in Charge at Namaka Police Station and there are several leads they are pursuing. Like I said before, this is totally unacceptable. Prime Minister Bainimarama is concerned that the Temple was violated and has reiterated the call for thorough investigations to be carried out.
Brigadier-General Qiliho inspected the Temple and noted the extent of damage and graffiti.
“It has been so helpful to have the Police Commissioner come and visit us. This is our place of worship. We keep it sacred, we treasure it and for some people to come and just rubbish it has really hurt us.” Temple President Naresh Kumar said.
The above is a combination of two reports that appeared on different days in the Fiji Sun. These have been reproduced here under a Special Arrangement with the Publication. We have the images of the desecrated Deities and graffiti, but did not consider them fit for publication.
*
Photo Caption: Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at the Votualevu Tirath Dam Mandir in Nadi on December 20, 2017 (Picture for Fiji Sun by Lusi Banuve).
