Rise in religious sacrilege cases in Labasa, devotees worried

There has been a rise in incidents of religious sacrilege targeting Hindu places of worship in Labasa, with two cases reported on consecutive days — Monday and Tuesday.

A Hindu family at Lajonia was the latest victim. Their 65-year-old head of household, Kamal Deo, said it was the first time their private prayer place (mandir) had been attacked.

Mr Deo reported the matter to police after discovering yesterday morning that the mandir’s windows had been removed to gain entry.

“I believe this break-in happened late at night or in the early hours of the morning,” he said.

He said $30 cash, bottles of ghee and honey were stolen, and the prayer site disturbed, although the deities were not harmed.

“These perpetrators who target temples or Hindu deities also follow a religion and they should show religious tolerance and not hatred,” Mr Deo said.
“Fiji is labelled a multiracial country and such incidents should be avoided.”

Mr Deo said the repeated targeting of Hindu places of worship was a matter of concern and urged Hindus to unite to safeguard their religious sites. His family now plans to install security grills to protect their mandir.

The incident follows another sacrilege case at Naduna, Labasa, on Monday, where a Hanuman statue was damaged. In April this year, pages of the Holy Ramayan were torn at the Vunicuicui Shiv Mandir in Labasa.

Shree Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha Labasa branch president, Avitesh Deo, condemned the latest attacks. He said perpetrators should “reserve their differences and avoid targeting another religion’s place of worship.”

Police forensics attended the Lajonia mandir yesterday to gather evidence. Divisional Police Commander North, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kemueli Baledrokadroka, said officers would step up patrols and encouraged communities to establish effective crime prevention committees to monitor suspicious activity.