UPROAR

The irresponsible dumping of deities along the shoreline during the Diwali lead-up and festivities has created an uproar among Laucala Beach residents.

Hindu idols have added to the build-up of rubbish scattered on the beach.

The practise of submerging Hindu gods into the ocean is done worldwide.

It marks the farewell of the deities to their abodes and is accompanied by the belief that, after being worshipped, the idols must be immersed in water because only Mother Earth can bear their power and energy.

However, the gods or deities are usually made out of clay so that they dissolve in water and are not harmful to the environment.

But this is not the case for many of the deities pictured by the beach near Bulei Road in Laucala Beach.

The deities appear to be made of plastic and metal.

Also evident were firework remains and wrappings from the festivities.

Hindu deities that got washed up along the shoreline at Laucala Beach, Suva on October 27,2022. Photo: Ronald Kumar

Residents Voice Concerns

Resident, Swapneel Goundar, said it was surprising how people were not considerate of the environment.

“Just straight after Diwali, I was not expecting waste floating around there with all the items that we use in our prayer ceremony,” he said.

“I took photos and sent them to our religious group Dharma Drishti Dal operating out of Lakshmi Vishnu Temple on Vere Rd, Laucala Beach and we have planned to do a clean-up at the site this Sunday.”

Another resident, Jale Chan, said while they did not have any problem with any religious group performing their religious rituals at the seashore, they pleaded for responsible behaviour.

“All we ask from them is to please dispose their rubbish at the right place, everybody uses the seashore, some come to swim, fish and so forth”

“If everyone does their job in keeping the place clean, it wouldn’t be an eyesore for anyone and also we won’t be picking and cleaning the rubbish from the shoreline left and disposed of by others.”

Environment Probe

This has prompted the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Waterways and Environment to open an investigation into the matter.

Director Environment, Sandeep Singh said they were investigating the matter and would be in touch with relevant authorities.

Nasinu Town Council

Special Administrator chairperson for Nasinu and Nausori, Uma Kant Patel, said the law was clear that dumping rubbish on the seashore was hazardous to the environment.

He said they strictly condemned such disposal of waste and people caught would cop a heavy fine as high as $1000.

“While we encourage people to worship in times of Diwali, Easter or Christmas, we also at the same time don’t encourage people to litter in such a way, “he said.

“These are not the illiterate people, these are the literate people who are doing it and the Government has been campaigning so much on the environment and the disposal of rubbish."

Mr Patel said while the council is collecting rubbish they know that such rubbish cannot be going to Naboro and at the same time this shouldn’t be going into the rivers and ocean as it harms marine life.

“If people don’t change their mentality and their way of living, this issue will remain,” he said.

Religious Group

Acting President of Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji (SSDPS), Dhirendra Nand said it was sad that despite several reminders to devotees, the issue had resurfaced again.

“The Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji does not condone such acts and we will meet the relevant authorities and discuss further on the penalties for such irresponsible acts,” he said.

“In the meantime, there is scheduled SSDPS national delegates meeting this weekend and will surely table this issue for awareness of all branches of the Sabha.”

Mr Nand said generally when idols are damaged the practice is to immerse them in water but one has to go deep and then immerse it so it does not wash back to the shoreline.

“SSDPS is committed to protecting the environment and has always advised its followers to celebrate environmentally friendly festivals,” he said.

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