In response to accusations of being anti-Fijian, then leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Reddy declared that a “concerted campaign was afoot” directed against “one community”, The Fiji Times reported on Friday, September 17, 1982.
He made these statements at Volivoli Village in Sigatoka while addressing a gathering sponsored by the Western United Front, a coalition partner of the National Federation Party.
It is “a travesty of the truth,” Mr Reddy said, expressing dismay that critics continued to accuse him of being against the Fijian community despite his history of “sincere and genuine” endeavours to make the Opposition a really multicultural party.
He emphasised his attempts to unite people of all races in a common cause and condemned the incitement of hatred for one’s own gain.
He said Fiji should have a place for everyone and questioned the need for such divide.
When Mr Reddy thought back on his meetings with people from various backgrounds after the election, he said he saw there was no animosity.
He blamed the senior leadership for the spread of hostility, charging them with spreading divisive discourse.
In response to claims that he had only appointed Indians to the Senate, Mr Reddy clarified that his predecessor had actually appointed three of the four Indian senators.
He emphasised his own appointments, which included a Fijian candidate and a general elector, and stated that he planned to appoint another Fijian to the Senate’s Opposition seat.
NFP parliamentarian Mr Hargovind Lodhia, who also spoke at the conference, emphasised the long-standing co-existence of Fijians and Indians, rejecting accusations that they were disrespectful of each other’s traditions and customs as being either naive or purposefully provocative.
Another NFP member, Filimone Nalatu, denounced recent remarks made in the Senate by the Great Council of Chiefs’ candidates, Senators Inoke Tabua and Ratu Tevita Vakalalabure.
He called their views disruptive and unworthy of aspiring leaders, criticising both their request for the expulsion of Indian politicians and the charges made against Mr Reddy.
“It’s by these statements that the Alliance want to divide and rule,” Mr Nalatu said, referring to the party in government.
He further accused then prime minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara of implicitly endorsing such polarising remarks by failing to refute their assertions.
While reflecting on his time as a senator, NFP lawmaker Harish Sharma said the senate should be free from party politics in order to carry out its function as a chamber of review.
He underlined that the senate’s integrity depended on the presence of competing opinions.
