SUVA, FIJI, February, 25, 2001: An uproar in Fiji’s Hindu community in the capital over another family being stopped from scattering the cremated remains of a family member along a shoreline, has police saying that they prevented the customary ritual in the interest of the public as the venue is a popular picnic spot. The family of deposed parliamentarian Raghu Nand were advised to seek permission from the Marine Department before carrying on with the last rites, who in turn imposed restrictions on such activities. A marine department official said anything that is not classed as a pollutant or dangerous substance could be released in the sea. A frustrated Nand said they were given the run-around by authorities that did not seem to know what they were doing.”It is part of our religious right and freedom and I believe that we should not have been stopped,” he said. The president of the Sanatan Dharam Sabha of Fiji Lautoka branch, Swami Maharaj, said “We have a right to religious freedom and freedom of expression. The commissioner of police should tell us if it is legal for Hindus to be stopped from performing their last funeral rites.”
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