Historic Hindu temple burnt in Fiji

Fiji: A Hindu temple built in 1905 by Indian indenture labourers has burnt in what is alleged by some to be another act of sacrilege which is becoming common in the country.

The Kendrit Sanatan Dharm Shiv Mandhir at the premises of the Nadi Primary School in Narewa was set ablaze by some unknown people early yesterday morning.

The temple was one the oldest in the country and was a popular spot for many Hindu devotees from Fiji and abroad.

According to temple manager Prem Sharma at around 3am yesterday some people noticed smoke coming out of the temple and the National Fire Authority (NFA) Nadi was alerted.

Sharma said that by the time the firefighters arrived on the scene the corrugated iron, timber and concrete building was completely ablaze.

“All belongings inside the temple was completely burnt along with extensive damage done to the temple exterior,” he said. “We believe someone entered the temple with the intention of burning it as fire started from a wooden box inside the temple.”

“Also this is a sure case of sacrilege because the idol of Lord Shiva was damaged prior to the temple being set alight,” said Sharma. He added that those people who had committed the crime were “religious fanatics and have no love for other religions.”

Sharma has urged the authorities teach people to respect each other’s religions.

“It’s very sad that only the Hindu places of worship are being targeted while we hardly see any Indians showing any form of disrespect or damaging churches or other places of worship.

The Shree Sanatan Dharm Brahman Purohit Sabha of Fiji also strongly condemned the action. Sabha national secretary Umeshwar Ram Sharma said such acts were only carried out by “cowards”.

Sharma who used to perform the Holy Ramayan at the temple every Monday said they would work hard to rebuild it soon with the help of members of the temple and the community there.

Meanwhile, Deputy Divisional Crime Officer Western ASP Waisea Kadawa said yesterday that police were still investigating the case and no arrests were made.

Source: Fiji Daily Post