‘He must be remembered as a highly courageous person’
THE late Chandrika Prasad must be remembered as a highly courageous person who was willing to take on the army and authorities at a dangerous time, said Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry.
Mr Chaudhry was the Prime Minister who was ousted by the 2000 coup.
He said the ruling in the Chandrika Prasad case by Justice Anthony Gates in August 2020 was hailed as a landmark decision because of its far-reaching legal, political and constitutional implications.
“It was the first time that the courts had declared a coup illegal,” said Mr Chaudhry.
“The case taught us that one must always stand up for one’s rights.
“The case taught us that illegal usurpation of power will not be condoned by the courts. This was also upheld after the 2006 coup when the Court of Appeal found that the army takeover in December 2006 was unlawful.
“The case taught us the constitution is the supreme law of the land.”
Mr Chaudhry said he was saddened to hear of Mr Prasad’s death two weeks ago in New Zealand.
“He was an ordinary farmer from Muaniweni who had been terrorised by thugs - lost his home and farm and he and his family subjected to violence at the time of the coup.
“He did not seek any compensation for the loss suffered as a result of the terrorist activities. He only asked that his rights as a Fiji citizen be reaffirmed, that the 1997 Constitution was still intact and that Parliament had not been lawfully dismissed and that the elected government was the lawful government of Fiji.
“Chandrika Prasad must be remembered as a highly courageous person who was willing to take on the army and authorities at a dangerous time when there was no law and order in Fiji.”