Harish Sharma discusses impact of the 1987 coups

The coup in 1987 was the darkest day Fiji had ever seen.

This was highlighted by former Deputy Prime Minister, Harish Sharma when their Doctor Timoci Bavadra led 1987 government was overthrown in a military coup led by Sitiveni Rabuka.

92 year old Sharma who lives in Australia, is in the country for the launch of his book ‘A Road to Parliament’.

In an interview with fijivillage News, Sharma says if Bavadra’s government had been allowed to govern for five years, Fiji would have changed significantly and could have been like Hawaii.

He says there were two coups in 1987, the first occurred on the 14th of May when they were all marched out at gunpoint and loaded into waiting trucks like a flock of sheep.

Sharma adds that while the first coup was not overly destructive, the second coup, carried out by Rabuka in September, was far more damaging, it was openly directed against the Indo-Fijian community, with their properties looted, people assaulted, and women raped.

Sharma also highlighted the review of the 1990 Constitution began after the late former National Federation Party Leader, Jai Ram Reddy convinced Rabuka that his community was not against the iTaukei, and they should work together to create a democratic constitution for the country.

He further says with the need to review the 2013 Constitution, it would be better to have a thorough discussion with all races.