70-year-old statue of Hanuman stolen from Fiji temple, idol was cemented to the floor

A 70-year-old statue of Lord Hanuman was stolen from Wailailai Kuti in Ba, prompting a police investigation into the theft. The 35 cm idol was cemented to the floor but vanished overnight.

Fijivillage reported that police said the temple's 68-year-old assistant treasurer discovered the theft Wednesday morning and lodged a report. Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha President, Dhirendra Nand, described the theft as “deeply hurtful” and confirmed the organisation will conduct its own internal investigation alongside police inquiries. He told the news outlet that CCTV cameras are installed in the temple and urged authorities to examine the footage.“We have confidence in the law and order of this country and in the Police Force. We hope the truth will come before the public very soon,” Nand said and urged devotees to not be disheartened as the incident coincided with the conclusion of Shree Krishna Janmashtami celebrations. The incident comes as the Indo-Fijian community is under increased attack in the island country. Last month, 100-year-old idols at Samabula Shiv Temple were destroyed.

28-year-old man, Sameula Tawake was charged with one count of alleged sacrilege and one count of throwing an object. Fiji's former attorney general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum voiced concern over the environment for the Indo-Fijian community in the country. He said the desecration was the act of an individual "possibly radicalised to execute religious hatred with purpose.""Inconsistent concern and commitment by the Prime Minister about hate speech and discrimination gives rise to and encourages radical ethno- nationalists who engage the political game of 'us' and 'them'," Sayed-Khaiyum wrote."If not reined in and spoken against in the harshest of terms by our leaders and those in positions of authority, then such acts will only give more oxygen to others who are already vulnerable to hate and discrimination."The desecration of non-Christian places of worship started when "overt and blatant hate was espoused against Indo-Fijians in 1987, to justify the overthrow of the (Timoci) Bavadra government," he wrote.Sayed-Khaiyum said that the rise in attacks against Indo-Fijians is being "increasingly accepted as the norm under the current leadership."