fbpx
  • Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • Opinions
  • Features
  • Letters
  • Videos
  • Editorials
  • Columns
Vassan Ramracha

Caribbean Leaders should emulate Fiji PM Rabuka and apologize to Indians

May 24, 2023
Dool Hanomansingh

We must to take back our country from those racist

July 14, 2025
Dool Hanomansingh

Time to give Bhadase his due recognition

July 14, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

PPP has best organization for elections

July 14, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
Dharamdatt Durjan

Support for Guyana Linkage with USA & GoAmerica party to protect Guyana

July 14, 2025
Dr-Irfaan-Ali

Jagdeo’s Skillful Leadership & Irfaan’s Popularity give PPP the advantage

July 11, 2025
kamla-persad-bissessar

FULL SUPPORT FOR THE HONORABLE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

July 11, 2025
Modi Visit will help to deepen ties to benefit T&T

Modi Visit will help to deepen ties to benefit T&T

July 11, 2025
Capil Bissoon

A Critique of T&T President Christine Kangaloo

July 11, 2025
Kirk-Meighoo

Modi’s Visit, the Outrage, and a Whole Lot of Selective Memory

July 11, 2025
Kamla Persad Bissessar

MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER THE HONOURABLE MRS KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR

July 8, 2025
Vassan Ramracha

India P.M. Modi and Islamic ASJA Concern in TRINIDAD

July 8, 2025
Dr Vishnu Bisram

Benefits of Guyanese and other Foreigners Teaching in USA

July 8, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Condition
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
  • Login
Indo Caribbean Diaspora News
  • Home
  • Columns
    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    PPP has best organization for elections

    Dharamdatt Durjan

    Support for Guyana Linkage with USA & GoAmerica party to protect Guyana

    Dr-Irfaan-Ali

    Jagdeo’s Skillful Leadership & Irfaan’s Popularity give PPP the advantage

    kamla-persad-bissessar

    FULL SUPPORT FOR THE HONORABLE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

    Modi Visit will help to deepen ties to benefit T&T

    Modi Visit will help to deepen ties to benefit T&T

    Capil Bissoon

    A Critique of T&T President Christine Kangaloo

    Kirk-Meighoo

    Modi’s Visit, the Outrage, and a Whole Lot of Selective Memory

    Vassan Ramracha

    India P.M. Modi and Islamic ASJA Concern in TRINIDAD

    Dr Vishnu Bisram

    Benefits of Guyanese and other Foreigners Teaching in USA

    Paras Ramoutar

    Modi’s visit was reminiscent of Indira Gandhi’s in October 1968

  • Letters
    Guyana Rohee’s mocking of Illegal Guyanese & Green Card Holders in America

    Guyana Rohee’s mocking of Illegal Guyanese & Green Card Holders in America

    Charles Sugrim

    Authenticating Dr Bisram’s Poll in Guyana

    Gary Griffith

    United We Stand, Divided We Fall

    Ravi Balgobin Maharaj

    Democrats More Dangerous to Dragon Gas than Republicans

    Ravi Balgobin Maharaj

    Who Really Lost in the Junior Sammy Matter in Trinidad?

    Jai Lall

    A challenge to become the rainbow in Leonora’s cloud

    Rabindra-Moonan

    The opposition UNC led by Kamla Persad Bissessar has gone into meltdown mode.

    Jai Lall

    Residents of Leonora, Guyana are ashamed and embarrassed

    Kamla Persad Bissessar

    Trinidad & Tobago REPUBLIC DAY MESSAGE 2024 OF LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

    Ravi Balgobin Maharaj

    Crime has reached a high level in Trinidad and Tobago

  • Community News
    Indian Arrival Day in Guyana and Trinidad

    Indian Arrival Day in Guyana and Trinidad

    Remembering Aunty Betty of Port Mourant, Guyana

    Remembering Aunty Betty of Port Mourant, Guyana

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Exxon, Liability, and Guyana’s Growth

    English rendering of PM’s interaction with the brave air warriors and soldiers at the Adampur Air Base

    English rendering of PM’s interaction with the brave air warriors and soldiers at the Adampur Air Base

    Indian-Caribbeans Observe Hanuman Birth Anniversary

    Indian-Caribbeans Observe Hanuman Birth Anniversary

    Ram Navami 2023 Observed

    Indo Caribbean Americans Observed 2025 Ram Naumi or Navami

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Gowtam Maharaj: “Phagwa is much more than gulal and abeer; it is building family love and strong communities.”

    Queens Boro President hosts 2025 Holi (Phagwah) Celebration

    Queens Boro President hosts 2025 Holi (Phagwah) Celebration

    Indian-Caribbean Americans in 2025 Phagwah (Holi) Spirit

    Indian-Caribbean Americans in 2025 Phagwah (Holi) Spirit

    Indo-Caribbeans Spellbound by the Maha Kumbh in India

    Indo-Caribbeans Spellbound by the Maha Kumbh in India

  • Editorials
    cliff-rajkumar

    VANISHING FOOTPRINTS

    Kamla Persad Bissessar

    Trinidad and Tobago OPPOSITION LEADER addresses TOWN HALL MEETING ON EDUCATION IN SAN FERNANDO WEST

    Jai Lall

    Guyana Leonora’s villagers are inseparable

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Indo-Caribbean to speak on India’s Soft Power in Delhi

    Jai Lall

    Empty vessels make the most noise – politics in Guyana

    Ashook-Ramsaran

    In Commemoration of the 23rd Anniversary

    Kamla Persad Bissessar

    Hope for UNC of Trinidad?

    Ravi Balgobin Maharaj

    Is there No Other Musical Instrument Indigenous to T&T?

    Guyana-map

    October 2024 Hindu Conference bring back memories of Humiliation of Indians in Guyana

    Jai Lall

    Is Kamala Harris the “Trump” card for the Democrats?

  • Opinions
    Dool Hanomansingh

    We must to take back our country from those racist

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Time to give Bhadase his due recognition

    Dool Hanomansingh

    ASJA’s Press Release is Misleading

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Gossip en masse

    Dool Hanomansingh

    NCIC hosted first quarterly lecture in honor of the late Professor Brinsley Samaroo

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Telling the UNC side of the Story

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Why you don’t need to think!

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Proud Indians

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Why the Hindu community remains weak despite personal achievements?

    Leyland-Chitlall-Roopnaraine

    A CHILD’S DEATH PLUNGES A COUNTRY INTO CRISIS

  • Videos
    Dool-Hanomansingh-003

    US Congress woman Tulsi Gabbard condemns the ongoing genocide of Hindus and other minorities

    Geeta-Vaahini

    Geeta Vaahini, President of the  Hindu Prachaar Kendra speaks on the social significance of Ganga Dhara Festival.

    Geeta-Vaahini

    Geeta Vaahini, President of the Hindu Prachaar Kendra speaks on the Hindu view of the environment.

    swami-brahmadeo

    Swami Brahmadeo – Hindus are top CEOs and Medics in North America and Europe

    Gowtam-Maharaj

    Gowtam Maharaj, a farmer of Barrackpore, South Trinidad, shares his challenges being a farmer.

    BAMBOO #1 Flooding – Frustrated Residents

    BAMBOO #1 Flooding – Frustrated Residents

    NATIONAL-LOTUS-THEATRE

    NATIONAL LOTUS THEATRE – Performance of Niyantran

    radica-jairam

    Story of RADICA JAIRAM from Orange Valley

    fisherman-trinidad

    Families of Orange Valley felt neglected by PNM Government

    Dr Subramanian Swamy

    Dr Subramanian Swamy – Dharma Rising London April 2015

  • Features
    ravi-ratiram

    Trinidad MP Ravi Ratiram Condemns Government’s Failures Amidst Rising Crime in Central Trinidad and Calls for Immediate Action to Protect Citizens

    Pandit Ramdular Singh

    Pandit Ramdular Singh on Guyana’s Dharmic Sabha

    Vassan Ramracha

    PNM bent on Africanizing Trinidad

    Baldeo_Chanderpaul-3

    West Indian cricketers must strive to emulate Shiv Chanderpaul of Guyana

    Jai Lall

    Who in Guyana will ever buy the PNC/AFC/APNU “honesty, integrity and decency” pitch again?

    cliff-rajkumar

    Non Indians Embracing Sanathan Dharma

    Mr. Rudranath Indarsingh

    INDARSINGH ON RELOCATION OF PRINCES TOWN FIRE OFFICERS

    Vassan Ramracha

    TRIBAL AFRICANS DO NOT CONDONE INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES

    Jai Lall

    Guyana President Ali and Cabinet Ministers Engaged West Coast Supporters

    Dr Jerry Jailall

    PPP Government responds quickly to changing “Negro” on Government forms, will they also add “Indian” to Arrival Day?

No Result
View All Result
Indo Caribbean Diaspora News
No Result
View All Result

Caribbean Leaders should emulate Fiji PM Rabuka and apologize to Indians

by Vassan Ramracha
May 24, 2023
in Opinions
0
Vassan Ramracha

Vassan Ramracha

261
SHARES
2.7k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

News reports stated that ahead of the third Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit, in Papua, New Guinea May 21 -22, Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka publicly apologized for his role in the 1987 military coup that overthrew the elected government of Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra. The Bavadra government was dominated by Indians.

Rabuka governed for 15 years before he was defeated in an election in 1992.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to attend the FIPIC conference amid growing Indian influence in the region. Fiji has been developing closer relations with India. Rabuka himself was trained in India where he obtained a MA degree. He has expressed gratitude to India fir various firms of assistance.

Rabuka told a large gathering of native and Indian Fijians in Suva, Fiji: “We confess our wrongdoings, and we confess that we have hurt so many of our people in Fiji, particularly those of the Indo-Fijian community of the time and among them sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters of those who were indentured as labourers from India between 1879 and 1916”.

Rabuka added: “I admit our wrongdoings, you have every right to blame us for the difficulties you went through, we do not blame you for being angry with us or even hate us, you are justified in your anger and your hate. I stand here to confess and to ask for your forgiveness”.

Rabuka admitted that he had wronged the Girmitiyas descendants and all Fijians in 1987 and said, “I am not making this confession as the Prime Minister for Fiji because I do not hold the government accountable for my actions of 1987. I do not claim to be making this confession on behalf of the Vanua Navatu, I’m not Tui Navatu, I’m just a member of the Yavusa Navatu, vanua Navatu of Cakaudrove, but I make this confession on my own behalf and on behalf of all those that took part with me on the military coup of the 14th of May, 1987. We confess our wrongdoings, we confess that we have hurt so many of our people in Fiji.”

The Fijian Prime Minister made the public apology for his role in orchestrating the 1987 coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of the first Indo-Fijian to lead the country.

Street violence against Indo-Fijians followed the coup accompanied by the burning of Indian shops. Tens of thousands of Indians fled the islands. Indians accounted for 53% of the population in the 1980s. Today, Indians accounted for less than 40% of the population.

Fiji got a new leader for the first time in 16 years after a national election in December 2022 resulted in three parties joining up to form a government in the Pacific island nation, dislodging Frank Bainimarama’s pro China Fiji First party. Prime Minister Rabuka heads the coalition of three parties.

The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), a power-broker holding three seats in the hung parliament, joined the coalition led by Sitiveni Rabuka’s People’s Alliance whose supporters are native Fijians and the National Federation Party composed of Indo Fijians led by Biman Prasad. SODELPA is supported by natives. Rabuka’s party is also supported by natives.

Rabuka praised Modi’s leadership and India’s support for the government he has led since December.

Fiji’s situation is similar to that of Surinam, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago with large Indian populations who have been the targets of racism, discrimination, marginalization, and violence. In the case of Guyana, rigging of elections and race riots resulted in the burning of Indian shops, raping of Indian women, and large scale ethnic exodus. There was also violence against Indians in Suriname resulting in their mass migration to Holland and USA. Indians in Trinidad also faced discrimination. Rigging of elections was a common occurrence in Trinidad where there was also gerrymandering of constituency boundaries. Large numbers of Indian Trinidadians migrated to North America and UK.

Facebook Comments Box
Tags: carribeanGuyanaGuyaneseindian cultureIndian GuyaneseIndo Caribbean diasporaIndo-Caribbean communityIndo-GuyaneseTrinidadTrinidad and TobagoVassan Ramracha
Share98Tweet62Share25
ADVERTISEMENT
Vassan Ramracha

Vassan Ramracha

Vassan Ramracha is Trinidad born, with formative education in Trinidad and higher education in USA. He is an educator in USA holding MA Degrees in Education and Political Science.

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Dr-Irfaan-Ali

Jagdeo’s Skillful Leadership & Irfaan’s Popularity give PPP the advantage

July 11, 2025
Modi Visit will help to deepen ties to benefit T&T

Modi Visit will help to deepen ties to benefit T&T

July 11, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Guyana January 2025 poll puts PPP in lead against a struggling opposition with opportunity for new parties

February 25, 2025
Desecration of the Deities by “Baby Skello”

Desecration of the Deities by “Baby Skello”

July 8, 2025
Dool Hanomansingh

We must to take back our country from those racist

July 14, 2025
Dool Hanomansingh

Time to give Bhadase his due recognition

July 14, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

PPP has best organization for elections

July 14, 2025
Dharamdatt Durjan

Support for Guyana Linkage with USA & GoAmerica party to protect Guyana

July 14, 2025

The most important world news and events of the day.

Get ICDN daily newsletter on your inbox.

ADVERTISEMENT
Indo Caribbean Diaspora News

© 2024 Indo-Caribbean Diaspora News. All rights Reserved

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Condition

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Columns
  • Letters
  • Community News
  • Opinions
  • Videos
  • Features
  • Editorials

© 2024 Indo-Caribbean Diaspora News. All rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In