The leader of the FijiFirst, Voreqe Bainimarama has brushed aside former Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase’s comments in a campaign meeting last night where Qarase said that we can never have equal citizenry in the country.
Speaking to more than 200 people in Korovisilou today, Bainimarama said what Qarase and SODELPA are saying is an old story which brought darkness and racial differences in 2000 in the country.
Bainimarama said SODELPA is saying that because some of the Indo-Fijians are non-Christians and their traditional background is different, it means they are different.
Bainiamarama stressed that this does not mean that people are not equal.
He also said that this is not stated in the 2013 Constitution.
He said the military brought stability when it took over the Government in 2000 and 2006.
Bainimarama further said that SODELPA does not like the idea that all Fiji citizens are called Fijians.
The FijiFirst leader said there is no question about who owns itaukei land as it is clearly stated in the constitution.
Bainimarama said all itaukei land is owned by the itaukei and it is also well protected in the 2013 constitution.
He also questions people who are saying that they are Christian on what is their message to the people of Fiji.
Bainimarama said bringing up racial differences and inequality is not a message of loving one another which is one of the main pillars of Christianity.
Former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase told people of Tuilovoni in Davuilevu Housing in a SODELPA campaign meeting last night that we can never be equal no matter how hard the FijiFirst tries to have equal citizenry in Fiji.
Qarase said to about 80 people attending the campaign meeting that he believes that God has given Fiji to the itaukei and not to any other race.
He said the reason why he wants people of other races not to be equal with the itaukei is because of his belief that God has given the land to the forefathers of the Itaukei people.
Qarase has also come out and said that he wants Fiji to be a Christian state because Christianity brought civilization to Fiji.
He then said that some may think that this is racist but he is just worried about the future of the itaukei.
When Fijivillage questioned Qarase why he is saying that we can never have equal citizenry, he stressed that this is SODELPA’s belief and they will continue to highlight it.
On the issue of Christian state which he highlighted in the campaign meeting, Qarase maintains that SODELPA’s belief is that Christianity should be given the prominent position in the country.
Equal citizenry is guaranteed in the 2013 constitution.
It states in the preamble that “we the people of Fiji declare that we are all Fijians united by common and equal citizenry”.
The constitution states that all citizens of Fiji shall be known as Fijians.
It is also stated that every person has the right to freedom of religion, conscience and belief and every person has the right, either individually or in community with others, in private or in public, to manifest and practice their religion or belief in worship, observance, practice or teaching.
