Bulitavu Condemns Desecration of Labasa Temple

Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bulitavu, has condemned the recent act of religious desecration at the Vunicuicui Shiv Mandir in Labasa, calling it a direct attack on Fiji’s core values of religious freedom and respect.

The incident, which occurred earlier this week, involved the tearing of pages from the sacred Hindu scripture, the Ramayan, by unknown individuals. The act has caused significant distress among members of the local Hindu community.

“No religion should be subjected to such a hateful act,” Bulitavu said in a public statement. “This is not just an attack on a temple — it is an attack on the peace and unity we work so hard to preserve in this country.”

He urged law enforcement agencies to pursue a swift and thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice. Bulitavu also called on all Fijians to stand together in solidarity, regardless of faith, and reject all forms of religious intolerance.

“Our constitution guarantees the right of every citizen to worship freely,” he said. “We must protect that right and ensure our communities remain safe and respectful spaces for all.”

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with calls for increased security and dialogue between religious groups to prevent such acts in the future.