Hindu devotees are being urged to reconsider their spending priorities and channel more funds towards safeguarding temples, as incidents of theft and desecration at places of worship continue across Fiji.
As per a Fiji Sun report, Fiji’s Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture and Heritage, Charan Jeath Singh, said the protection of temples must be treated as a priority, particularly with a rise in attacks targeting Hindu religious sites.
Condemning recent acts of sacrilege, including break-ins and theft, Mr Singh said communities needed to take greater responsibility for the safety of their places of worship.
He drew a pointed comparison between the time and money spent on social kava gatherings and the lack of investment in basic security measures.
“During puja sessions, people struggle to remain focused for even an hour, yet some can sit and drink kava for more than four hours,” he said.
Mr Singh noted that extended kava sessions can cost close to $100 — money he said could instead be used to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems at temples.
He said temple committees were being advised to strengthen their own security arrangements, with CCTV cameras viewed as a practical deterrent and an important tool to help identify offenders.
“With these attacks increasing, every temple must take responsibility for its own safety,” he said.
On whether temples should move towards cashless donation systems, Mr Singh said the decision rested with individual committees and needed to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
“Not every temple can go cashless because some devotees still prefer to donate in cash,” he said, adding that the key objective was to ensure temples remained safe and free from theft and abuse.
Mr Singh stressed that he was not opposed to kava consumption, but said sound financial management was essential to ensure timely security upgrades and reduce the risk of losses.
“I urge the Hindu community to be cautious and to seriously consider installing CCTV cameras to prevent theft,” he said.
The minister also called for unity across all races and religions, stating that greater tolerance and shared responsibility were crucial to preventing acts of sacrilege and preserving Fiji’s multicultural harmony.
“Values of love, respect and compassion must begin in our homes,” he said.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about whether surveillance cameras alone are enough. In a letter to the editor published in The Fiji Times, a reader inquired about the action taken against individuals arrested in 2025 for previous temple break-ins and vandalism.
The writer argued that while cameras can provide evidence, lasting protection of places of worship also requires clear consequences that deter repeat offences and maintain public confidence in the rule of law.
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