By: Savneel Sangeet Kumar
Interim Party Leader,
Proposed Fijian National Congress (FNC)
The proposed Fijian National Congress is a proposed political party in Fiji.
The objectives of the proposed Fijian National Congress is the well-being and advancement of the people of Fiji and the establishment in Fiji, by peaceful and constitutional means, of a Socialist, Secular, Federal State based on Parliamentary Democracy in which there is equality of opportunity and of political, economic and social rights and which aims at world peace and fellowship.
Email: savneelsangeetkumar@outlook.com
Website: www.savneelsangeetkumar.com
Deh Shiva baru mohi ihai subh karaman te kabb hu na taro,
Na daro ari so jab jai laro nisachai kari apuni jit karo,
Aru sikh ho apane hi man kau ih lalach hau gun tau ucharo,
Jab aav ki audh nidan bane ati hi ran mai tab jujh maro.
O Siva, Almighty, grant me this boon,
May I never shirk from doing good deeds,
May I know no fear when I go into combat,
And with steadfast determination, may I be victorious.
May I hold fast to this creed alone,
To speak only of Thy praises,
To let my words, resound with Thy glory.
And when the final days of my life arrive,
May I fall in the might of the battlefield,
With Thy name upon my lips,
And my spirit united with eternity.
— Shri Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru of Sikhism.
This coalition government in Fiji is fully aware that it cannot rely on the recent advisory order of the Supreme Court of Fiji to lower the public referendum threshold from 75% to 50% for amending the 2013 Constitution of Fiji.
The Constitution of Fiji is the supreme law of our State.
The procedures and requirements for amending the 2013 Constitution of Fiji are clearly set out under Section 160 of the 2013 Constitution of Fiji. A Bill to amend the 2013 Constitution of Fiji must first be passed by the Parliament of Fiji with at least a 75% majority. Thereafter, it must be supported by at least 75% of the registered Fijian voters in a public referendum conducted by the Electoral Commission of Fiji. Once these procedures are followed and the requirements are met, the President of Fiji is required to assent to the Bill. Only then does the Bill become an Act of the Parliament of Fiji, and the amendments to the 2013 Constitution of Fiji come into force. These procedures and requirements are crystal clear. There is no dispute about them.
If the Supreme Court of Fiji, or any other authority, for that matter, issues any advisory order that this coalition government in Fiji assumes that it can use to lower the public referendum threshold from 75% to 50% for amending the 2013 Constitution of Fiji, such an advisory order is completely irrelevant. Any attempt to alter this constitutional requirement through such an advisory order will be void and will be of no effect. The Constitution of Fiji is the supreme law of our land, and it explicitly sets out the procedures and requirements for amendments under Section 160 of the 2013 Constitution of Fiji. The power to amend the 2013 Constitution of Fiji rests solely with the Parliament of Fiji and the registered Fijian voters. There is no provision whatsoever for the Supreme Court of Fiji to intervene in the exercise of these powers, which are explicitly set out in the 2013 Constitution of Fiji. The authority to amend the 2013 Constitution of Fiji lies exclusively with the legislative body and the people of Fiji, acting in accordance with Section 160 of the 2013 Constitution of Fiji.
Any attempt to amend the 2013 Constitution of Fiji in contravention of the provisions clearly set out under Section 160 of the 2013 Constitution of Fiji, including, with a 50% public referendum threshold, will be unconstitutional and illegal. Any government purportedly formed in Fiji through such unlawful means will likewise be unconstitutional, illegal, and void, and will inevitably be subject to the grave consequences attendant upon such extreme constitutional violations and anti‑national actions.
The current constitutional review process being conducted in Fiji is nothing more than a drama staged by this coalition government in Fiji. In fact, it is a grave wastage of the Fijian taxpayer’s funds. If this coalition government in Fiji truly intended to make some constructive amendments to the 2013 Constitution of Fiji, they would have done so long time ago. They would not be rushing at the final moments of the term of the Parliament of Fiji. They would have simply followed the procedures and met the requirements clearly set out under Section 160 of the 2013 Constitution of Fiji. In that way, ordinary Fijians might have supported their cause for the amendments. However, they refuse to do so because they already know that the majority of the ordinary Fijian people will not support their propaganda and nonsense. So, they sought the opinion of the Supreme Court of Fiji, which, shockingly, passed an advisory order in their support, an advisory order that was unconstitutional and illegal, taking into consideration the supreme authority of the 2013 Constitution of Fiji.
The extreme push for changing or revoking the 2013 Constitution of Fiji is majorly coming from the iTaukei community. Although a small group of Fijians of South Asian Descent stand behind them in pursuit of some political or other opportunities, the major push and the most desperate calls are coming from the iTaukei community. The internet is overflowing with the iTaukei condemning the 2013 Constitution of Fiji and demanding for its amendment or revocation. They are extremely desperate.
The fact is that the iTaukei community lacks sound leadership capable of directing them along a constructive path. A significant portion of them are confused and misled. Much of this confusion stems from the influence of a small group of this so‑called elite iTaukei, the not‑so‑great committee of chiefs. Within this committee, some members even regard themselves as representatives of God.
Let there be no confusion. Every atom in this existence reflects the work of the God Almighty. I truly believe in this idea with a modern interpretation shaped by my communist thoughts. They are not some exclusive creation of God. They are equal to every other citizen of Fiji, and to every other being in this creation.
If you wish to understand the mindset driving this committee of chiefs, you need only examine some of the submissions they made to this recent constitution review commission, submissions that reveal the extent of their misguided thinking.[1]
- They want Section 41 of the 2013 Constitution of Fiji amended so that Fijian children would no longer be protected from violence, inhumane treatment, and punishment. In effect, they support subjecting our children to such abuses.
- They want the power to appoint the President and a Vice‑President of Fiji.
- They want the name “Fijian” reserved exclusively for the iTaukei.
Their calls make no sense. They are demanding authority to appoint our Head of State while simultaneously supporting violence against little children. Do we want people who endorse violence, especially against our children, to hold the power to appoint our Head of State? There is an extent of acting like a nincompoop and that extent seem to have been passed by them over here.
What special qualifications do they possess, and what special contributions are they making to our country’s national life, that they should be entrusted with such extensive powers? That is the most fundamental question they must answer to the Fijian people.
Lord Jesus Christ, for that matter, led one of the greatest revolutions of its time for peace, non‑violence, justice, and fair treatment of human beings. The rulers of its time could not endure the revolution it was leading, because it challenged their hypocrisy and exposed their comfort and luxury built upon the sufferings of the ordinary women and men from its society. In their arrogance, they hanged Lord Jesus Christ on the cross.
For the past several years, certain groups within the iTaukei community have been pressing that the name “Fijian” should be reserved exclusively for the iTaukei. It has become increasingly clear that it is this committee of chiefs who are provoking the ordinary iTaukei to condemn the principles of common and equal citizenry enshrined in the 2013 Constitution of Fiji. This, unfortunately, is the priority they have set for the iTaukei in our country.
As a person of South Asian Descent, do I really care whether I am called a “Fijian”? My priority, as well as the priority of my community, is centred on improving the quality of life of the person.
As I stated earlier in this article, a significant portion of the iTaukei are confused and misled. They have misplaced priorities, and as a result, many of them remain in a state of grave suffering. This is of deep concern to me as a citizen of Fiji.
The Fijian Government has dedicated an entire ministry to safeguard the interests of the iTaukei community. This is in addition to the numerous iTaukei institutions, including this committee of chiefs, and such other broad-level divisional, provincial, district, and village committee structures, all of which cost the Fijian taxpayers millions of dollars every year. Despite these privileges and institutional support, the iTaukei continue to struggle. No other ethnic community in Fiji receives such extensive State support, and this disparity is deeply concerning and must be properly acknowledged. Fiji cannot afford to sustain a large population dependent on such levels of State subsidies.
Yet, despite this extensive support, after approximately 56 years of independence, the iTaukei‑owned businesses account for less than 5% of enterprises operating in Fiji.[2] This is one of the saddest statistics in Fiji’s national life, as the Fijian Government itself has admitted.
- At the same time, the iTaukei own over 91% of Fiji’s landmass.[3] Yet, 75% of those living in poverty in Fiji are the iTaukei.[4] That is a tragic contradiction.
- 90% of Christians in Fiji are iTaukei. 90% of prisoners, illegal drug users, and drug pushers are also the iTaukei.[5]
- 73% of teenage mothers in Fiji are iTaukei.[6]
- iTaukei children represent the majority of reported cases of child abuse and neglect in Fiji.[7]
- Non‑communicable diseases and youth mortality rates are the highest among the iTaukei community in Fiji.[8]
The iTaukei are in this state because of their own causes. Firstly, they have set the wrong priorities for themselves. Secondly, they have engaged in anti‑national activities such as coups in Fiji. Every coup that our nation and our people have had to endure was led by the iTaukei, and the victims of those coups were not only the Fijians of South Asian Descent but also the ordinary iTaukei themselves. These so‑called elite iTaukei were never the victims of any of those coups.
Thus, the iTaukei leadership in Fiji has set the wrong priorities for their people, and as a result, their people are in a dire state of life today. They are suffering, and no one is genuinely concerned or doing anything to improve their quality of life. That is extremely sad for me as a citizen of Fiji. However, instead of analysing and finding solutions to the problems faced by the ordinary iTaukei, some radical elements within their community continuously blame the Fijians of South Asia Descent for their state.
Regardless of all hardships, the Fijians of South Asian Descent community has consistently worked for the betterment of Fiji, and we continue to do so today. Due to the coups and political upheavals, some members of our community became so disillusioned that they left Fiji to settle in foreign countries. Yet, even abroad, they continue to contribute to the progress of the countries they currently reside in, while also supporting Fiji through remittances and investments.
Despite this, our community continues to face blame from radicals within the iTaukei community. We are an easy target because these radicals know that our community is scattered. There is no single platform through which the Fijians of South Asian Descent, residing anywhere in the world, can come together to discuss policies for the betterment of our community and for Fiji as a whole.
Therefore, I propose the establishment of an International Association of Fijians of South Asian Descent (IAFSAD) to fill this gap. In principle, it should be the Fijian Government that should establish such an organization through an Act of the Parliament of Fiji, and as such, formally recognizing the interests and contributions of the Fijians of South Asian Descent to Fiji’s development. However, it is highly unlikely that this coalition government in Fiji will take such a bold step, as it requires a very strong spine, as well as the political will, to do that. But that should not stop us from taking up our own initiative. Therefore, I invite all interested and awakened members of our Fijians of South Asian Descent community to contact me so that we may form an establishment committee to begin with this effort. Together, we can lay the foundation for this IAFSAD and ensure that our community has a unified platform to advance its interests and contribute meaningfully to the future of Fiji.
I call upon young Fijians, do not allow these old and sickly politicians to play with our country’s future, our future, and the future of generations yet to come. In the past 56 years, Fiji has endured radical and racist groups beating and harming citizens based on race and creed, storming our parliament, kidnapping politicians inside parliament, and committing acts against the national interest. In one particular incident in 2000, it even took our military 56 days to actually act against the radicals. This must stop now. And it is only the young Fijians who can stop these old politicians from making a mockery of our democracy.
Section 160 of the 2013 Constitution of Fiji clearly sets out the procedures and the requirements for making any amendments to the 2013 Constitution of Fiji. I urge young and awakened Fijians, do not allow these old politicians to make any changes to the 2013 Constitution of Fiji unless they follow the procedures and meet the requirements set out therein.
In pure national interest, and in the highest spirit of patriotism, I submit these thoughts for your consideration.
Left Salute! Communist Salute! My friends.
[1] Reference: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/591855/fiji-chiefs-push-bold-constitutional-changes-sparking-public-debate
[2] Reference: https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/saddest-statistics-in-national-life/
[3] Reference: https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/91-of-fiji-land-itaukei-owned-6-is-freehold/
[4] Reference: https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/75-percent-of-people-living-in-poverty-are-i-taukei-koroi/
[5] Reference: https://fijionenews.com.fj/tikoduadua-reveals-itaukeis-are-the-biggest-drug-users-in-fiji/
[6] Reference: https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Report-states-more-iTaukei-babies-born-to-teenage-mothers-between-2016-2019-rfx584/
[7] Reference: https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/itaukei-children-face-growing-abuse-crisis/
[8] Reference: https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/higher-itaukei-deaths-at-younger-ages-indo-fijians-at-older-ages-fbos-report/
Page Last Updated: 24/07/2026