Three prominent SODELPA members have joined the masses attacking SODELPA MP Mosese Bulitavu for his racist remarks against Indo-Fijians.

They are Suva Constituency president Watisoni Nata, former party general secretary Pio Tabaiwalu and Suva lawyer Tanya Waqanika.

Mr Bulitavu had labelled rural Indo-Fijian women as promiscuous and said the iTaukei community had learned stabbing from the Indo-Fijian community.

Mr Nata called on Parliament to expel Mr Bulitavu.

He said: “My friend Bulitavu, you overstepped the mark, you are on your own, and Tu Nai (Speaker of Parliament Ratu Epeli Nailatikau) do the right thing, toss him out of Parliament, back to his little village in Macuata, where he belongs….”

Former party general secretary Pio Tabaiwalu said the comments were unfortunate and not supported by SODELPA.

He said: “Domestic violence is increasing and we the iTaukei are some of the worst offenders judging from the records. It is a shameful act and should be condemned from all quarters.”

Lawyer Tanya Waqanika who was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2018 General Election said: “I am ashamed, disgusted and saddened by Honourable Bulitavu’s comments as it is a statement that is disrespectful to Fijian women (Indian ethnicity).

“I am glad that our party president has said that SODELPA does not support racist comments. I will not stand and support a party that condones racism and sexism, and neither should you or anyone of us. Our silence condones such statements.

“History tells us that our forefathers, who practised cannibalism, would certainly have a ‘murderous or killer’ mind-set when going to war and later, eating their prisoners.

“This was done well before our vulagi from India came to Fiji.

“Within our iTaukei system, we each have our own social structure. I am a bati (warrior). My forefathers were hired as mercenaries and came to Viti Levu to kill (which is basically murder) the enemies of their political allies.

“Again this was done well before our vulagi from India came.

“Certain parts of Fiji had the widows of chiefs strangled to death and buried with their husband to accompany him to the after life. Again this was done well before our vulagi from India came to Fiji.”

Lawyer Graham Leung endorsed Ms Waqanika’s remarks.

He said: “God help us if this is the quality of MPs in Parliament.”

More protests against Mr Bulitavu are expected from within the party.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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