Fiji’s Coalition Government has strongly rejected former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry’s claim that the Supreme Court’s opinion makes the Indian community more vulnerable.
In a statement, the government emphasised that a referendum allows every community to participate equally in decision-making. Indo Fijians, like all minority groups, vote as full citizens, ensuring that any proposed constitutional change must gain broad national support. Discriminatory proposals, the government said, would not survive such scrutiny.
Prime Minister S. Rabuka also criticised Chaudhry for speaking on behalf of all Indo-Fijians without the mandate or numbers to do so.
While Chaudhry has advocated for change through political negotiations behind closed doors, the government argued that such backroom politics gives a small group of leaders disproportionate power, often stalling necessary reforms. The Prime Minister said:
“A referendum is the opposite of backroom politics. It is open, transparent, and gives the final say to the people themselves. That is real democracy. That is what the Coalition Government welcomes entirely,”
The government called on Chaudhry to move beyond traditional politics and recognise that Fiji could soon hold its first-ever referendum—a historic step that strengthens democracy for all communities.
“As your Prime Minister, I give my assurance to all Fijians that this process belongs to you,” the statement concluded.
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