Draft:Fiji Temple (Mandir) Desecrations

Submission declined on 15 July 2025 by Utopes (talk).

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Declined by Utopes 4 minutes ago. Last edited by Utopes 4 minutes ago. Reviewer: Inform author.

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Comment: Please use inline citations here; the list of articles in plaintext is not sufficient. Which article corresponds to which incident? Please see WP:REFB. Utopes _{(talk / cont)} 02:35, 15 July 2025 (UTC)

The desecration of Hindu temples (Mandirs) in Fiji refers to a series of incidents involving vandalism, theft, and destruction of religious symbols and property within Hindu places of worship across the nation. These acts, which have occurred periodically over several decades, range from graffiti and the pouring of paint on deities to the destruction of century-old idols, theft of donation boxes and religious artifacts, and the burning of sacred texts. Such events have deeply impacted Fiji's Hindu community, primarily composed of Indo-Fijians whose ancestors arrived as indentured laborers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The desecrations have often sparked widespread condemnation from religious organizations, government officials, and civil society, raising concerns about religious tolerance and social cohesion in Fiji's multicultural society.

List of Incidents
Date Temple Name
October 15, 1989 - Lautoka Arya Samaj Temple
October 15, 1989 - TISI Sangam Temple (Lautoka – exact name not specified)
October 21, 1989 - Sri Subramania Swami Temple (Nadi)
October 21, 1989 - Unnamed Hindu temple (Nadi – looted and desecrated)
September 1991 - Unnamed Temples (Raiwaqa and Vatuwaqa, Suva)
June 20, 1994 - Shri Jai Maha Shakti Temple (Nasoso)
January 18, 2004 - Shri Shiva Subrahmanya Swami Temple (Nadi)
January 19, 2004 - Shiu Narayan Mandir (Suva)
June 30, 2005 - Waila Prem Mandali (Nausori)
September 18, 2006 - Calia Devi Mandir
September 2006 - Shree Sanatan Dharam Vishnu Mandir (same timeframe)
October 17, 2008 - Kendrit Shiri Sanatan Dharam Shiv Temple (Nadi – built 1905)
December 16, 2017 - Votualevu Tirath Dham Mandir (Nadi)
December 25, 2017 - Shree Sanatan Dharam Ramayan Mandali (Waila, Nausori)
January 2018 - Vishnu Bhavan Temple (Sasawira, Nausori)
January 2018 - Two Unnamed Temples (Nadi and Votualevu – idols vandalized)
September 29, 2021 - Sacrilege committed on a Hanuman murti by a Lautoka Pastor
April 5, 2024 - Korociri Temple (Nausori)
April 24, 2024 - Shri Vishnu Temple (Saweni, Lautoka)
July 2024 - Jai Santoshi Maa Temple (Nadi)
July 2024 - Gangaiyamann Temple (Nadi)
July 2024 - Shree Sanatan Dharam Temple (Boca, Labasa)
April 6, 2025 - Vunicuicui Temple (Labasa)
April 2025 - Gangamma Temple (Wairuku, Rakiraki)
July 11, 2025, Samabula Sanatan Shiv Mandir (Samabula, Suva)

References

"'Hate and discrimination': Temple attack sparks outrage in Fiji's Indo-Fijian community" - RNZ (July 14, 2025)

"BAULEVU TEMPLE AND RAMAYANA BURNING..." - Fijileaks (January 30, 2022)

"BAULEVU TEMPLE AND RAMAYANA BURNING..." - Fijileaks (January 30, 2022, detailing specific 1991 incidents)

"Human Rights Report | Fiji" - Hindu American Foundation (citing Nanda, 1992)

"Hindu leaders condemn 'sacrilegious' attack on historic Shiv temple in Fiji" - The Australia Today (July 11, 2025)

"Kendrit Shiri Sanatan Dharam Shiv Temple" - Wikipedia (citing Fiji Times, Fiji Daily Post, ABC Radio Australia, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation from Oct 2008)

"Fiji Police Investigate Hindu Temple Arson Attack" - Pluralism Project Archive, Harvard (October 17, 2008, citing Radio Australia)

"Temple in Fiji violated by vandals" - Indian Down Under (December 24, 2017)

"NFP condemns act" - The Fiji Times (December 22, 2017)

"Vunicuicui Shiv mandir rejects racism claims after desecration" - FBC News (April 2, 2025)

"Desecration of Holy Ramayan is inexcusable, intolerable and unforgivable - Prof Prasad" - Fijivillage (April 2, 2025)

"Hindu leaders condemn 'sacrilegious' attack on historic Shiv temple in Fiji" - The Australia Today (July 11, 2025)

"'Hate and discrimination': Temple attack sparks outrage in Fiji's Indo-Fijian community" - RNZ (July 14, 2025)

"Fiji unites against Hindu Shiv temple attack, accused arrested" - The Australia Today (July 13, 2025)