Govt Demands Alleged Sacrilege Probe

The ghost of sacrilege has reared its ugly again.

This time Government wants to bury it forever so that it will not haunt religious organisations again.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, called on Police to investigate the alleged sacrilege at Vunicuicui Shiv Mandir in Labasa on Tuesday night.

Mr Prasad wants immediate action by Police following reports of the alleged incident where pages of the Holy Ramayan (holy book) were torn into pieces.

Mr Prasad labelled the incident as an offence committed against the Hinduism.

Especially at such a time when the Hindu festival of Ram Navami is being practiced across the country.

“The desecration of the Holy Ramayan or indeed any Holy scripture of any religion is clearly sacrilege and a serious crime,” Mr Prasad said.

“This is inexcusable, intolerance and unforgivable.”

Religious intolerance led to social and moral decay affecting the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation, he said.

“Religious intolerance of any kind cannot and must not be condoned.”

Despite the alleged incident, devotees had shown restrain and were praying for peace and wisdom, even for the alleged perpetrators.

“Incidents like this ignite perception and give rise to racial connotations at a time.

“In this desecration of the Holy Ramayan at a time when its significance and values of truth, justice and righteousness are preached each night during this Ram Navami”.

He called for patience and urged other temple committees to safeguard their religious facilities and items.

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