Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry has urged everyone to shed all forms of racial discrimination and unite as one people as we celebrate Diwali around the country.
The former prime minister said Diwali reminded everyone of the victory of good over evil, enlightening us to discard ignorance for knowledge leading to truth and happiness.
“Yet we find that these teachings remain largely a dream, engulfed by the realities of life in our complex world,” he said.
“Promoting slogans like ‘unity in diversity’ is all too well – we had been doing that for a long time without getting too far.
“For some reason diversity seemed to have prevailed over unity as a stronger factor.”
He encouraged Fijians to strive for a better Fiji.
“Much as some may disagree, the truth is that no single community in Fiji can go it alone – this has been proven four times over with four coups.
“Unity or peace cannot be achieved while inequality exists.
“Despite clear constitutional provisions outlawing all forms of racial discrimination, the practice continues through the administrative policies of the State.
“Now may be the right time to address such concerns as a reconciliation and unity process is being considered through a proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“A united Fiji will benefit the younger generation the most, creating for them opportunities that may have been denied them in an environment of political instability and economic uncertainty of the past and the present.”
