Reflect on what has happened, work together and look to the future.
That’s the call from National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad, who said there has been a lot statement made about the past during the girmit commemoration over the past few days by some government ministers.
He made the comment during the launch of the Indenture Pass Data Base in Suva yesterday and said it was unfortunate that this had happened.
“Unfortunately that it is the fact that in the last one week outside Parliament and inside Parliament leaders in the FijiFirst party and other minions have revoked the past to whip up and distort ill will among Fijians,” he said.
Prof Prasad said while no one should deny what had transpired in the past, it was pivotal to work together for a better future
. “No one denies what happened in 1987.
“No one denies the adversity of what happened, no one is denying that.
“No one should ever deny what happened in 2000 when Frank Bainimarama was the commander of the RFMF.
“No one should deny what happened in 2006 where men and women who opposed the military coup were taken to the military barracks.
“They might have looked different from us than what happened in 1987, but this was committed in 2006 as well.
“So if you want to invoke the past let’s evoke it for the future.
“Reflect on what has happened, we work together and look to the future and that is what I am doing as a leader.
“I am doing that and I will continue to do that.”
Prof Prasad said girmit should be commemorated by having a national public holiday. He also highlighted that it was important to understand the connection Fiji had with India.
“No one should deny our connection to India because our forefathers had many connections.
“Part of the heritage we share with our people in India makes us stronger and many of our people understand that.
“The Prime Minister said girmit history should have been taught since independence and yes, I support that.
“We must have girmit history in our curriculum.”
Meanwhile, Prof Prasad said the launch of the database was an extremely important innovation.
The database (girmitdata.org) now allows Fijians and descendants of girmitiyas to look at the boarding passes of their ancestors who came to Fiji.
