A social media campaign kick-started by a local lawyer that encourages minority groups to share how they are feeling and to stand united is going viral.
Bhumika Khatri, a lawyer with leading legal firm Munro Leys, said she started the campaign on Thursday following the announcement by Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces was being called in to assist following “threats made against minority groups who are now living in fear following recent political developments”.
She posted the hashtag #FijiIsUnited and it began circulating on Twitter right after the announcement with social media users encouraging members of Fiji’s minority and major groups to support each other in the face of the alleged threats.
Ms Khatri said the campaign encouraged users to identify themselves and declare “we are safe with each other”.
“I started the #FijiIsUnited campaign on Twitter after I read the statement from the Fiji Police Force that a decision had been made to call in the RFMF to assist the police with its operations,” she said.
“The Police said that threats had been made against minority groups.
“However, I don’t feel threatened and I wanted to say this on social media and ask others to air their views.
“Nobody I know is aware of any such threats.”
Ms Khatri said the paramount concern everyone had was safety.
“I have always felt safe with my iTaukei brothers and sisters.
“A lot of the people I have talked to in the past few days have also shared similar sentiments.
“The majority of the posts that I have seen on social media also shared the same views.
“The grassroots people do not appear to be concerned for their safety.
“Of course, there might be a few instances here and there but I think these can be managed by the police themselves.”
Ms Khatri said she had been overwhelmed with the response.
“They have all been very positive and reinforced my experience of living in Fiji with the iTaukei community.
“I hope that the decision makers will see the positive response received on my tweet and reconsider their decision to ask the military for assistance.
“That is what will make people anxious and fearful.”
