Author:
Publication: Hinduism Today
Date: February 1997.
Fiji Hindus were outraged over a
dipavali-day break-in at the Soni Samaj Temple in Nadi. Several Deities
were smashed, others were stolen. Damages totaled US$25,000.
Fiji's Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, condemned the vandalism as "beastly.
If it was performed by any Christian Methodist, we are all ashamed." A
second temple break-in on November 14 escalated tensions. Hindus
were stunned when Wesleyan Mission secretary, Sakeasi Butadroka, actually
justified the attacks during an interview with the Fiji Sun: "This is God
Jehovah's way of showing nonbelievers that it is time they turn away from
worshiping statues." He said Hindu festive activity--meaning Dipavali--and
work on the Sunday Sabbath, were an offense against Christianity.
"I am not at all surprised at the recent spate of temple break-ins," he
concluded. To date, no one has been arrested, nor have other Christian
leaders in Fiji or elsewhere issued statements rebuking Butadroka.
