3 Jul 2004

Calls for senator to apologise in Indo-Fijian row

7:23 am on 3 July 2004

The Fiji Labour Party has called on government senator, Adi Litia Cakobau, to apologise for her remarks that the use of the term Indo-Fijian was theft of the indigenous identity and should be criminalised.

The Fiji Sun quotes the Labour Party president, Jokapeci Koroi, as saying it's clear that the intention and timing of the remarks, is to inflame feelings during the current trial of Vice President Seniloli and others on serious coup-related charges.

Mrs Koroi says as Adi Litia's a government senator, the Labour Party is calling on the government to make clear its position, on such a racially prejudiced statement.

Mrs Koroi says by its silence, the government shows that it agrees with such bigoted utterances.

Adi Litia Cakobau told the Senate yesterday that the use of the label Indo-Fijian is identity theft by the Indian population in their lust for land.

She accused Indian academics Professor Subramani, Dr Brij Lal, Dr Ganesh Chand and Dr Biman Prasad of being social engineers and identity usurpers engaged in a process of mass deception.

Adi Litia said "ideology is the alternative to arms and ammunition, and more powerful as a weapon for the activities of the invaders."