Burning of the holy book was a disrespectful act committed by cowards that has no place in Fiji - Sayed-Khaiyum

Acting Prime Minister and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the burning of the Ramayan at the Nav Durga Temple was a disrespectful act committed by cowards that has no place in Fiji.

Sayed-Khaiyum says this desecration harkens to the darkest chapter of Fijian history when this same temple was attacked after the 1987 coup by political figures seeking to create ethnic and religious animosity among our people.

He says we thank God that community members in Baulevu were able to stop the fire before the entire temple was consumed by flames.

Sayed-Khaiyum says today every Fijian has the constitutional right to worship in peace and practice their faith freely.

He adds our laws will be upheld and the Fiji Police Force are on the case to charge those responsible.