Suva, Fiji – July 11, 2025
The Hindu community in Fiji is reeling after a shameful act of desecration at the Samabula Shiv Temple earlier this week. Religious Murtis and sacred items were vandalized in what authorities and community leaders are calling a serious and deeply offensive attack on religious freedom and multicultural harmony.
Police responded swiftly to the scene and arrested a suspect shortly after the incident was reported. He is currently in custody at the Samabula Police Station and is being questioned as investigations continue. Authorities have confirmed that charges will be laid once inquiries are complete.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from across the political spectrum.
Deputy Prime Minister and National Federation Party (NFP) leader, Professor Biman Prasad, called the act “absolutely disgusting” and “a shameful and sacrilegious act that strikes at the heart of Fiji’s values of peace, respect, and multicultural harmony.”
“This is not just an attack on the Hindu community. It is an attack on all of us as Fijians who value harmony and respect between all faiths and cultures,” he said, urging swift justice and national unity.
Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Charan Jeath Singh, also denounced the act, describing it as a criminal attack on Fiji’s identity. “We will not tolerate any form of religious intolerance or hatred. Our places of worship—of all faiths—must be protected and honoured,” he said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding the religious and cultural rights of all citizens.
Opposition Member of Parliament, Alvick Maharaj, echoed these sentiments, describing the incident as “a dark and painful moment for Fiji’s Hindu community.”
“This wasn’t just someone trying to take things. This was a direct and hurtful attack on our Sanatan Dharma, which is our Hindu faith,” he stated in an emotional appeal.
The desecration has sparked calls for increased protection of religious sites and stronger enforcement against hate-motivated crimes. Temple officials and community leaders have expressed shock and sorrow, urging authorities to act swiftly and decisively.
“This is not only an assault on our place of worship, but an assault on our very beliefs and dignity as a people,” said a senior temple trustee. “We appeal for calm, but also for justice.”
The Samabula Shiv Temple, one of the most respected and long-standing Hindu temples in Suva, has long been a place of prayer, peace, and spiritual refuge for devotees.
Authorities have assured the public that they are treating the matter with the utmost seriousness and will provide further updates as investigations proceed.
