Godly principles should guide the State, says investor

A constitution review submission argues Fiji should retain equality and religious freedom while embedding “Godly principles” in national values.

Investment consultant Sandeep Narayan Singh made his submission to the Fiji Constitution Review Committee in Suva earlier this week.

He said the state should be guided by Godly principles grounded in justice, compassion and integrity, while fully upholding equality, freedom of religion and respect for all.

He said Fiji should be a nation guided by Godly principles and values, while recognising the importance of religious liberty.

Mr Singh said the 1997 Constitution clearly recognised religious freedom and protected the rights of all individuals.

However, he said this changed in the 2013 Constitution when Fiji was declared a secular state.

“While secularism is intended to ensure neutrality, I feel that, in practice, it has distanced public institutions from the moral and spiritual values that guide the majority of our people,” Mr Singh said.

He said Fiji was a nation where significant majorities believed in God and were faith-based.

“There is growing concern that secularism is being interpreted in a way that excludes God entirely from public life, including institutions such as schools, where prayer and faith-based expressions are no longer commonly practised,” he said.

Mr Singh said his submission was not about elevating one religion above another.

“It is about recognising the importance of faith, moral guidance and shared values in shaping our national identity, while continuing to protect the rights and freedoms of all religions,” he said.

He cited countries such as the United Kingdom, Indonesia and Malaysia as examples where constitutional frameworks acknowledge belief in God or moral foundations while still protecting diversity.

Mr Singh proposed that Fiji adopt a balanced approach that maintains inclusivity and equality for all citizens while recognising the importance of Godly principles in guiding the nation’s values and direction.

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