The Party Leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), and Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, has issued a firm statement calling for calm, mature, and responsible public discourse following recent inflammatory comments circulating on social media.

Radrodro is responding to a public post made by Paula Manumanunitoga, which contained aggressive language, violent threats including referencing “roasting” fellow citizens in earth ovens, and racially divisive rhetoric aimed at non-indigenous Fijians regarding the 1874 Deed of Cession.

He says there comes a time when we must draw a clear line between standing up for our traditional leaders and resorting to hostility, vulgarity, and explicit threats against our fellow citizens.

Radrodro says Paula Manumanunitoga is entitled to his views, as is every Fijian. However, freedom of expression must be exercised with responsibility, maturity, and respect.

He adds that having a political opinion or defending our chiefs does not give anyone a licence to use abusive language, make violent threats, or issue rhetoric that risks creating deep ethnic divisions among our people.

The Party Leader says SODELPA remains steadfastly committed to upholding the dignity of the vanua, protecting indigenous heritage, and honoring the role of traditional chiefs.

Radrodro says the party firmly rejects the notion that respect for chiefs can be promoted through intimidation or hostility toward other communities.

SODELPA also calls on all public figures, community advocates, and citizens to refrain from issuing statements that promote fear or ethnic division, and instead contribute to constructive dialogue that strengthens the unity, peace, and progress of Fiji.