‘Stop insulting people’s religions and traditions’

TELL the people what your government has done, but stop insulting people’s religions and traditions.

This was the message from two organisations representing bhajan singers (locally known as bhajaniyas) to FijiFirst party general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

They said this as they called on him to retract the comments he made about ‘bhajaniyas’ at a rally in Nasinu last week, demanding that he apologise to bhajaniyas in the country.

Speaking in Hindi at the rally, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum questioned the calibre of Fiji Labour Party candidates referring to one of them as a“bhajaniya” and questioning the candidate’s ability to contribute to debates and discussions if elected into Parliament.

Bhajans are religious songs. Rastriye Bhakti Saagar president Pravin Mani said Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s comment was an insult to bhajaniyas in the country.

“FijiFirst had said that canecutters can even contest in an election, so why is he questioning the calibre of bhajaniyas now?” Mr Mani said.

“People have that calibre and qualification. That’s why they stand in an election.

“He should retract his statement and apologise to the bhajaniyas for what he has said.”

Mr Mani said Mr Sayed-Khaiyum should tell the people what his government has done for them in his party rallies instead of insulting and demeaning others.

“They can do their campaigns and meetings, but it is not good to insult other religions and degrade others.”

The Fiji Bhajan Lovers organisation also expressed similar sentiments.

Trustee Anmol Chand said they did not expect such comments from Mr Sayed-Khaiyum.

“Bhajaniyas also have a standard in their society,” Mr Chand said. “They are qualified in their area. “We never expected such a comment from him.

“He has demeaned us.

“He thinks bhajaniyas only sing. He doesn’t know that there are qualified and educated bhajaniyas as well.

“We promote our religion and preach religious harmony and tolerance through our songs.

“He should apologise for what he has said.”

■ Questions sent to Mr Sayed-Khaiyum remain unanswered when this edition went to press last night.