The struggles and teachings of Lord Ram in exile as narrated by the Ramayana gave “solace and inspiration” to the girmitiyas or Indian indentured labourers of the 19th century who carried copies of the epic with them while travelling in ships, Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad said on Monday. Speaking to The Hindu in an exclusive chat, Mr. Prasad who has the additional ministerial portfolio of finance, strategic planning, national development and statistics, said the Fijians of Indian origin, especially of Hindu background, got rid of the caste system and established a more inclusive society because they were united to fight the “brutal” system of indentured labour.
“As indentured labourers during the years of hardship, Fijians of Indian origin, especially of Hindu background, got solace and inspiration from the Ramayana and the life of Lord Ram. The girmitiyas identified with the suffering of Lord Ram in forest and his return to Ayodhya after exile, as we read in the Ramayana, reflects the psychological yearning of the Indian diaspora in Fiji which is proud of its Fijian identity while acknowledging their origins,” said Mr. Prasad explaining that the Ramayana also became a psychological connector between the modern day Fijians and their land of origin that their ancestors left behind in the late 19th century.
Mr. Prasad said Indians of Hindu, Muslim and Christian backgrounds went to Fiji carrying their holy texts and they went on to establish temples and Ramayana mandalis, mosques, markaz and churches and set up schools for their children that the colonial administration was unwilling to support. “Almost all the schools of Fiji were started by the Hindus, Muslims and Christians who came from India and we grew into a secular society because we understood that secularism does not mean absence of religion but giving equal space for everyone to practice their faith and as a result Diwali is celebrated by all citizens of my country,” said Mr. Prasad.
