Monday 4th February 2019
The National Federation Party believes Fiji’s hosting of the first ever regional international Hindi conference next month provides a platform to local participants to reinforce the importance of the Hindi language and not conversational Hindi as prescribed in the 2013 Constitution.
NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad says the Party welcomes Fiji’s hosting of this international conference and its inauguration by India’s Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.
“And local Hindi scholars, religious and cultural organisations who participate in the event should raise concerns on how the 2013 Constitution would undermine Hindi language”.
“Section 31(3) of the Constitution prescribes the compulsory teaching of conversation and contemporary i-taukei and Fiji Hindi languages in all primary schools”.
“Fiji Hindi is not a language. Fiji Hindi is a dialect. Similarly, conversational i-taukei is not the official language of our indigenous community”.
“A few years ago religious organisations made an attempt with the then Education Minister to formalise the teaching of formal Hindi language in all primary schools but this never eventuated”.
“During last year’s election campaign, the Attorney General who was also the Education Minister said the Constitutional provision did not prevent the teaching of formal Hindi in primary schools but this too disappeared into thin air”.
“Therefore the 2013 Constitution quite erroneously prescribes both dialects as languages to the detriment of the rich traditions, culture and unique languages of the two major communities”.
“This will in the long term result in loss of both formal Hindi and i-taukei as the official languages. This must be prevented at any cost because of its catastrophic consequences on religion, tradition and cultural values”.
“It must be noted that Hindi scholars in Fiji were renowned for being extremely proficient in Hindi language – not conversational Hindi. They all spoke, taught and preached Hindi language. This uniqueness found in Fiji, and now in our regional neighbours Australia and New Zealand due to migration from Fiji and India, is a pride of the Indian diaspora”.
“All scriptures and religious discourses are in Hindi language. Tradition, culture and customs were preserved and basis of consolidation of Indians after the end of Indenture or Girmit because of the Hindi language”.
“The 2013 Constitution should not be allowed to destroy this rich history”.
The conference to be held from March 15-17, is being organised by the Government of India in partnership with the Fiji government and close cooperation with the University of the South Pacific.
Authorised by:
Prof. Biman Prasad
Leader of the National Federation Party
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