The Coalition Government rejects Mahendra Chaudhry’s statement that the Supreme Court’s opinion makes the Indian community more vulnerable.
That argument does not stand when you look at what a referendum really means.
In a referendum, every community is part of the decision. Indo Fijians, like all other minority groups, vote as equal citizens.
Any government wanting to change the Constitution would have to win support from the whole nation. This forces proposals to be fair, broad, and inclusive. Discriminatory ideas would never survive such a test.
Furthermore, Chaudhry should stop making generalised statements when he does not have the mandate or the numbers to speak for all Indo Fijians.
Chaudhry says change should only come through political negotiations and consensus. But that usually means a few leaders making deals in closed rooms. That gives a small group of politicians’ veto power over the entire country, blocking needed changes and leaving Fiji stuck.
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.
Mr. Chaudhry should move past the old style of politics and recognise that Fiji may now hold its first ever referendum. That would be a historic step, one that strengthens democracy for every community, not weakens it.
As your Prime Minister, I give my assurance to all Fijians that this process belongs to you.