OPPOSITION leader Inia Seruiratu has demanded an immediate police investigation into a Facebook post attributed to Fijian Teachers Association general secretary Paula Manumanunitoga, describing the alleged remarks as “racial hostility dressed up as commentary” and warning that the language carries a message of violence.
Mr Seruiratu condemned the reported reference to “catch you and roast you in earth ovens”, saying it could not be dismissed as humour or an emotional outburst.
“That sentence is aimed at frightening people,” Mr Seruiratu said.
“In a country with our history, language of that kind is never innocent. It carries a message of violence and it speaks directly to communal antagonism.”
He called on the Fiji Police Force to investigate whether offences relating to threats, incitement to violence and communal antagonism had been committed.
Mr Seruiratu also demanded a public response from the FTA leadership, warning that silence would damage an institution entrusted with the education of children.
“Teachers are the people we entrust with our children. Their job is to teach respect, tolerance, equality and peaceful coexistence.”
He said the alleged remarks were particularly concerning as Fiji debated proposed constitutional changes, warning against the revival of racial divisions.
“Fiji is not the property of one race. It is home to i-Taukei, Indo-Fijian, Rotuman, Chinese, Part-Europeans and every other community that calls this country home.”
“No Fijian should ever be made to feel like a foreigner where they were born, and nobody gets to decide who belongs here based on ancestry.”
He stressed that racism must be condemned regardless of who makes the remarks or who is targeted, insisting that everyone must be held to the same standard under the law.
Meanwhile, FTA general secretary Paula Manumanunitoga apologised to the Indo-Fijian community for comments he made on social media, saying they were in retaliation to racist remarks directed at Fiji’s chiefs.
In a public apology, Mr Manumanunitoga asked those he had offended to forgive him.
He said the comments were prompted by insulting remarks posted by some Indo-Fijians on Facebook.
“I would not have uttered such remarks had I not read what they said in their comments,” he said.
