The Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji says it fully concurs and supports the call from the Methodist Church in Fiji not to engage in fireworks until after 6pm this Sunday.
Sabha’s Media Relations Officer, Kamlesh Arya says the issue raised here is not that of Diwali being celebrated on a Sunday but the use of firecrackers and they believe it is reasonable to ask for the quiet time until after 6pm on Sunday.
He adds Sunday has a special meaning for the Christian community and everyone needs to respect that.
Arya adds fireworks have no meaning and purpose in the festival of Diwali as fireworks is a commercial advent, and a pollutant in respect of noise and the environment.
Meanwhile, the National Secretary of Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, Vijendra Prakash says this is not the first time Diwali is falling on a Sunday.
Prakash says fireworks were used during Lord Rama’s return to home after 14 years of exile and people should not say that fireworks does not has anything to do with Diwali.
