This is a synopsis of organisations formed by
Indians in Fiji
Indo-Fijians or Indian-Fijians (also known as Fiji Indians) are Fijian citizens of Non-resident Indian and Overseas Citizen of India, Indian descent, and include people who trace their ancestry to various regions of the Indian subcontinent.Gir ...
. When they became free from the bondage of
indenture
An indenture is a legal contract that reflects or covers a debt or purchase obligation. It specifically refers to two types of practices: in historical usage, an indentured servant status, and in modern usage, it is an instrument used for commercia ...
and were able to organise themselves, they founded numerous organizations to seek social and political justice. These organisations promoted the teaching of Indian languages and religious practices and also to help others in time of need. Some of the successful organisations are listed below in the order in which they were established. Some, such as the
National Federation Party
The National Federation Party is a Fijian political party founded by A. D. Patel, A.D. Patel in November 1968, as a merger of the Federation Party and the National Democratic Party (Fiji, 1960s), National Democratic Party. Though it claimed to ...
, are no longer exclusively Indian, but are still predominantly so.
British Indian Association (1911)
The British Indian Association was established in 1911, following a severe hurricane that had brought much hardship to the
Fiji Indians in the
Central Division. It was formed by a group that included J.P. Maharaj (a Suva Storekeeper),
Totaram Sanadhya
Totaram Sanadhya (1876–1947) was deceitfully recruited as an indentured labourer from India and brought to Fiji in 1893. He spent five years working as a bonded labourer but was never afraid to fight for his rights. After completing his inde ...
(a pundit and social worker from Rewa),
Ram Singh (a Suva printer) and Ram Rup. The meeting was chaired by Shriyut Rupram and discussed grievances such as the lack of educated leadership amongst the Fiji Indians and the dependence on European lawyers. Totaram Sanadhya was responsible for its Hindi language correspondence.
Indian Imperial Association (1918)
The Indian Imperial Association (I.I.A.) came into existence in
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
on 2 June 1918 to further the well-being of the
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
n settlers in Fiji.
Manilal Doctor
Manilal Maganlal Doctor (28 July 1881 – 8 January 1956) was a British Indian barrister and politician, who travelled to numerous countries of the British Empire, including Fiji, Mauritius and Aden, providing legal assistance to the local ethnic ...
became its first President and
Ram Singh its Secretary. The association contained mainly educated
Fiji Indians. It sent petitions to the Government seeking review of marriage law, an end to the death penalty and representation into the
Legislative Council. The aim of the association was to ‘watch the interests of and to assist in the general improvement of the Indian community in Fiji’. As president of the I.I.A., Manilal Doctor wrote to
Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (; ; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist Quote: "... marks Gandhi as a hybrid cosmopolitan figure who transformed ... anti- ...
, other Indian leaders and the
British Labour Party
The Labour Party is a List of political parties in the United Kingdom, political party in the United Kingdom that has been described as an alliance of Social democracy, social democrats, Democratic socialism, democratic socialists and trade u ...
on the sad plight of Indian indentured labourers in
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
. Following, the strike of 1920, the I.I.A. organised petitions in different languages, asking for Manilal to be allowed to stay in Fiji but after he was deported from Fiji in 1920, the I.I.A. collapsed.
Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji (1918)
The Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji (Arya Representative Society), the national body for all the Arya Samajs in
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
, was formed in 1918, although
Arya Samaj
Arya Samaj ( hi, आर्य समाज, lit=Noble Society, ) is a monotheistic Indian Hindu reform movement that promotes values and practices based on the belief in the infallible authority of the Vedas. The samaj was founded by the sanny ...
had existed in Fiji since 1904. Its first President was Swami Manoharanand Saraswati. The Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji is affiliated to Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha (World Council of Arya Samaj) based in
New Delhi
New Delhi (, , ''Naī Dillī'') is the capital of India and a part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). New Delhi is the seat of all three branches of the government of India, hosting the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House ...
. Immediately after its formation the Sabha went about establishing schools in Fiji, with the first one,
Gurukul Primary School
Education in India is primarily managed by state-run public education system, which fall under the command of the government at three levels: central, state and local
Local may refer to:
Geography and transportation
* Local (train), a tr ...
, established in 1918 in Saweni,
Lautoka
Lautoka () is the second largest Local government in Fiji, city in Fiji. It is on the west coast of the island of Viti Levu, in the Ba Province of the Western Division, Fiji, Western Division. Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane-growing r ...
. The ''Sabha'' owns and manages 14 pre-schools, 18 primary schools, 7 secondary schools, a commercial school, a religious training centre, a youth development centre and has provided the facilities and resources for the establishment of the
University of Fiji
The University of Fiji is a university based in Saweni, Lautoka, Fiji. It was established in December 2004 under academic leadership of the Fiji Institute of Applied Studies and financial sponsorship of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, a Hindu ...
.
Indian Cane Growers Association (1919)
The Indian Cane Growers Association was formed on 28 September 1919 and was based in
Ba district, one of the cane growing districts in the
Western Division of
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
. It was led by a former overseer of the
Colonial Sugar Refining Company and included some well-to-do
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
n cane farmers from Ba. The Association proposed a scheme for co-operative stores and an agricultural bank financed by the
Colonial Sugar Refining Company but the company refused to finance it. The Association asked for a higher price and Indian cane farmers refused to plant any more cane. The company made concessions, although it refused to guarantee the price increases for future years and refused to continue the bonus in 1921.
Indian Association of Fiji (1920)
The Indian Association of Fiji was formed in 1920 by N. B. Mitter, who was the headmaster of a school in Nadi. The Association organised labourers from the Western Division, which included Ba, Nadi, Lautoka and Nadroga. In the early 1920s Ram Singh tried to revive the defunct Indian Imperial Association as the Indian Association of Fiji but having representatives from all sections of the Indian community. It made representations to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies
The secretary of state for the colonies or colonial secretary was the Cabinet of the United Kingdom, British Cabinet government minister, minister in charge of managing the United Kingdom's various British Empire, colonial dependencies.
Histor ...
about residential tax and other issues, but the Government regarded it as representing only the urban educated Indians and refused to recognise it. On 9 December 1934, The Indian Association was reformed, this time as a successor to the
Fiji Indian National Congress On the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the first Indians in Fiji, two different organisations called the Fiji Indian National Congress were formed in Fiji. The acting Governor of Fiji, Alfred W. Seymour, despite European opposition, declare ...
. Its president was
A. D. Patel and
Vishnu Deo
Pt. Vishnu Deo (Hindi: विष्णु देव) OBE (17 July 1900 – 7 May 1968) was the first Fiji born and bred leader of the Indo-Fijians. From his initial election to the Legislative Council in 1929 to his retirement in 1959, he rema ...
was its secretary. The Association made representations to
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
and
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
opposing the proposal for a purely nominated system of choosing members to the
Legislative Council. In 1935, the Association protested to restrictions to Indian immigration to Fiji.
Indian Reform League (1924)
The Indian Reform League was formed in
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
in 1924, following the refusal of the
Suva
Suva () is the capital and largest city of Fiji. It is the home of the country's largest metropolitan area and serves as its major port. The city is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, in Rewa Province, Central Divi ...
Y.M.C.A.
YMCA, sometimes regionally called the Y, is a worldwide youth organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, with more than 64 million beneficiaries in 120 countries. It was founded on 6 June 1844 by George Williams in London, originally ...
to admit
Indians. Its founder was
A.W. McMillan of the
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
Y.M.C.A and educated Indians and Government clerks and interpreters. Its aim was to carry out social work and apply pressure for social reform, like changes to marriage laws. Since most of its members were Indian
Christians
Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...
, it soon acquired a sectional character. It provided volunteer nurses during the
typhoid
Typhoid fever, also known as typhoid, is a disease caused by '' Salmonella'' serotype Typhi bacteria. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, and usually begin six to 30 days after exposure. Often there is a gradual onset of a high fever over several ...
epidemic of 1925. It had a women's wing known as the ''Stri Sewa Sabha'' (Women's Service League), founded in 1934, which carried out social work amongst Fiji Indian women. The League encouraged participation in sports, including in
cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striki ...
,
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...
,
hockey
Hockey is a term used to denote a family of various types of both summer and winter team sports which originated on either an outdoor field, sheet of ice, or dry floor such as in a gymnasium. While these sports vary in specific rules, numbers o ...
and
lawn tennis
Tennis is a racket sport that is played either individually against a single opponent (singles) or between two teams of two players each ( doubles). Each player uses a tennis racket that is strung with cord to strike a hollow rubber ball cove ...
. The League was instrumental in the formation of the Suva Football Association, which was one of the original Associations that formed the
Fiji Indian Football Association.
Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam (1926)
The ''Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam'' (TISI Sangam) was founded in Fiji by Sadhu
Kuppuswami
Sadhu Kuppuswami (1890–1956) was a Fiji Indian religious leader.
He was awarded the title "Sevaka Ratnam" in 1941
Early life
Kuppuswami, the son of Govind Swamy Naidu, was born in the village of Konoor, Tamil Nadu, India in 1890. He was litera ...
, an ex-indentured labourer, who inspired South Indians to form an organisation to promote their language and culture. On 10 January 1926, while celebrating the birth of
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda (; ; 12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902), born Narendranath Datta (), was an Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, author, religious teacher, and the chief disciple of the Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the intro ...
in
Rakiraki
Rakiraki () is a district in Fiji's Ra Province. It is located between Tavua and Korovou when travelling along the Kings Road, on the northern coast of Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island.
At the 1996 census, the Rakiraki district had a populati ...
, attended by people of all districts, the idea of forming the South Indian organisation was proposed. On 24 May 1926, at a meeting in Nadi, the Then India Sanmargya Ikya Sangam (TISI Sangam) was formed with Sadhu Swami. Sadhu Kuppuswami was elected the first President of Sangam and he remained its President for his lifetime. On 26 December 1927, the Madras Maha Sangam, was formed in
Suva
Suva () is the capital and largest city of Fiji. It is the home of the country's largest metropolitan area and serves as its major port. The city is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, in Rewa Province, Central Divi ...
by Verrappa Muthiah Pillai in Suva and branches were soon established in
Levuka
Levuka () is a Local government in Fiji, town on the eastern coast of the Fijian island of Ovalau (Fiji), Ovalau, in Lomaiviti Province, in the Eastern Division, Fiji, Eastern Division of Fiji. Prior to 1877, it was the capital of Fiji. At the c ...
and
Labasa
Labasa (pronounced ) is a town in Fiji with a population of 27,949 at the most recent census held in 2007.
Labasa is located in Macuata Province, in the north-eastern part of the island of Vanua Levu, and is the largest town on the island. T ...
. In 1937 the Madras Maha Sangam merged with the TISI Sangam. The arrival of Swami Avinashananda and
Swami Rudrananda
Swami Rudrananda (11 March 1901 – 30 June 1985), born Muthukrishnan, was an Indian Hindu monk and a disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic, Swami Shivananda, the direct disciple of Ramakrishna. After moving to Fiji in 1936 he became on ...
from the
Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) is a Hindu religious and spiritual organisation which forms the core of a worldwide spiritual movement known as the ''Ramakrishna Movement'' or the ''Vedanta Movement''. The mission is named after and inspired by th ...
of India provided impetus to the Sangam which proceeded to promote South Indian language and culture.
Fiji Muslim League (1926)
The Fiji Muslim League is a
Muslim
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
religious and social organisation based in
Suva
Suva () is the capital and largest city of Fiji. It is the home of the country's largest metropolitan area and serves as its major port. The city is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, in Rewa Province, Central Divi ...
,
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
. The League was formed on 31 October 1926, at a meeting at the Jame Masjid in Toorak, although a number of Muslim organisations had existed in Fiji since 1908. The League has made valuable contribution in the field of education in Fiji. The first school, Islamic Girls School, was already in existence in 1926. Today, the League owns and manages seventeen primary and five secondary schools plus a tertiary institution. Besides education, the League from its outset has attempted to assist in satisfying all the social needs of Muslims. Currently its involvement in social welfare is both at national and branch levels. In times of natural disasters or turmoil the League directly helps Muslims whose homes and lives are disrupted. Its charity keeps many Muslim families clothed, fed and housed, and helps them send their children to school. Since 1929 the Fiji Muslim League has sought to obtain separate representation for Muslims, in the
Legislative Council till 1970, and in Parliament (both the
House of Representatives
House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...
and the
Senate
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
) since 1970.
Hindu Maha Sabha (1926)
Hindu Maha Sabha was an organisation representing various Hindu organisations and was formed in
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
in late 1926, following the formation of All-India Hindu Maha Sabha in
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
. Although the organisation was formed to unite all the Hindu groups, its leadership soon came under the control of the better organised
Arya Samajis
Arya Samaj ( hi, आर्य समाज, lit=Noble Society, ) is a monotheistic Indian Hindu reform movement that promotes values and practices based on the belief in the infallible authority of the Vedas. The samaj was founded by the san ...
. When
Shri Krishna Sharma arrived in Fiji in 1927, he assumed leadership of the Sabha. The Hindu Maha Sabha (and the Fiji Muslim League) contested with the
Indian Reform League The Indian Reform League was formed in Fiji in 1924, following the refusal of the Suva Y.M.C.A. to admit Indians. Its founder was A.W. McMillan of the New Zealand Y.M.C.A and educated Indians and Government clerks and interpreters such as M. S. ...
(mainly supported by Indian Christians) for the right to represent Indians. The Sabha was organised at village level into (religious unions) and was led in the
Suva
Suva () is the capital and largest city of Fiji. It is the home of the country's largest metropolitan area and serves as its major port. The city is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, in Rewa Province, Central Divi ...
-
Nausori
Nausori () is a town in Fiji. It had a population of 57,866 at the 2017 census. This makes it the fourth most populous municipality in the country. Situated 19 kilometers outside of Suva, it forms one pole of the burgeoning Suva-Nausori corrido ...
area by
Vishnu Deo
Pt. Vishnu Deo (Hindi: विष्णु देव) OBE (17 July 1900 – 7 May 1968) was the first Fiji born and bred leader of the Indo-Fijians. From his initial election to the Legislative Council in 1929 to his retirement in 1959, he rema ...
,
K. B. Singh
Kunwar Bachint Singh (1905 – 1979) was an Indo-Fijians, Indo-Fijian teacher and politician. He arrived in Fiji in 1927 as a teacher for the Arya Samaj in Fiji, Arya Samaj but his association with Vishnu Deo led him to play an active role in a ...
,
Kundan Singh Kush and the
western districts of
Viti Levu
Viti Levu (pronounced ) is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji. It is the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.
Geology
Fiji lies in a tectonically complex area between the Australian P ...
by
Chattur Singh
Chandersen Chattur Singh was an Indo-Fijian politician. He caused a major sensation in the 1937 elections when he defeated A. D. Patel, a well known lawyer and political ally of Vishnu Deo.
Early Political Activities
Chattur Singh was one of ...
and Sahodar Singh. Conflict with Muslims and orthodox Hindus led to court action and a conviction in the early 1930s and the Sabha ceased to represent all the Hindu organisations in Fiji.
Fiji Indian National Congress (1929)
The Fiji Indian National Congress started as two different organisations, one formed by
Vishnu Deo
Pt. Vishnu Deo (Hindi: विष्णु देव) OBE (17 July 1900 – 7 May 1968) was the first Fiji born and bred leader of the Indo-Fijians. From his initial election to the Legislative Council in 1929 to his retirement in 1959, he rema ...
in
Lautoka
Lautoka () is the second largest Local government in Fiji, city in Fiji. It is on the west coast of the island of Viti Levu, in the Ba Province of the Western Division, Fiji, Western Division. Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane-growing r ...
on 12 October 1929 and another formed by Dr Hamilton Beattie in
Suva
Suva () is the capital and largest city of Fiji. It is the home of the country's largest metropolitan area and serves as its major port. The city is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, in Rewa Province, Central Divi ...
on 14 October 1929. As both organisations had the same aim,
S. B. Patel was able to persuade them to amalgamate on 7 November 1929 to form a single organisation. The aim of the Congress was to improve the status of the
Fiji Indians by uniting the Indians and demanding common franchise. Vishnu Deo tried to model the Congress on the
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress (INC), colloquially the Congress Party but often simply the Congress, is a political party in India with widespread roots. Founded in 1885, it was the first modern nationalist movement to emerge in the British Em ...
, but it failed when non-Hindu members left following disagreement over the distribution of relief funds following floods in 1930.
Fiji Teachers Union (1929)
Fiji Teachers Union is a union representing school teachers in
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
. It had its beginning when on 7 December 1929, an organisation known as the Teachers' Association of Fiji was formed in
Lautoka
Lautoka () is the second largest Local government in Fiji, city in Fiji. It is on the west coast of the island of Viti Levu, in the Ba Province of the Western Division, Fiji, Western Division. Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane-growing r ...
, with Pandit
Ami Chandra
Pandit Ami Chandra Vidyalankar (1900 – 13 March 1954) was an Indo-Fijian educator, preacher, labour leader, politician and football administrator. He served as a member of the Legislative Council between 1947 and 1953.
Biography
Chandra, a g ...
as President and W. K. Phillip as Secretary. The aim of this Association was to improve the standard of education in Fiji schools, to raise the status and to improve and safeguard the conditions of employment of its members and to work for the betterment of the community as a whole. Its membership was open to all teachers whether from Fiji or overseas, whose certification was approved by the Department of Education of Fiji. Later this Association became the Fiji Teachers Union. Although it is a multi-racial organisation, the overwhelming majority of its members are of
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
n origin.
Fiji Bharatiya Mazdur Sangh (1930)
The ''Fiji Bharatiya Mazdur Sangh'' (Fiji Indian labour Union) was a short-lived union formed in June 1930 by
Vishnu Deo
Pt. Vishnu Deo (Hindi: विष्णु देव) OBE (17 July 1900 – 7 May 1968) was the first Fiji born and bred leader of the Indo-Fijians. From his initial election to the Legislative Council in 1929 to his retirement in 1959, he rema ...
and
K. B. Singh
Kunwar Bachint Singh (1905 – 1979) was an Indo-Fijians, Indo-Fijian teacher and politician. He arrived in Fiji in 1927 as a teacher for the Arya Samaj in Fiji, Arya Samaj but his association with Vishnu Deo led him to play an active role in a ...
for the benefit of the newly arrived
Punjabi immigrants who were finding it hard to find employment in Fiji.
Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islam (1933)
Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islam was formed in 1933 by some educated Muslims in Fiji who had earlier led the
Fiji Muslim League
Fiji Muslim League (FML) is an organisation founded in 1926 in Fiji. Following its foundation the organisation set up branches across the country. Most of the Muslim schools in Fiji are operated by the Fiji Muslim League.
History
Formation ...
but lost control of the League they offended the majority of Muslims in Fiji, who are Sunnis, by bringing Ahmadiyya missionaries from India. Some prominent Fiji Muslim who were Ahmadiyyas were Mohammed Towahir Khan and Mohammed Sahu Khan of
Lautoka
Lautoka () is the second largest Local government in Fiji, city in Fiji. It is on the west coast of the island of Viti Levu, in the Ba Province of the Western Division, Fiji, Western Division. Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane-growing r ...
, and X.K.N. Dean of Suva.
Kisan Sangh (1937)
''Kisan Sangh'' (Farmers Union) was the first successful farmers' union formed in Fiji on 27 November 1937 by
Ayodhya Prasad
Ayodhya Prasad Sharma (Hindi: अयोध्या प्रसाद शर्मा, 30 April 1909 – 28 February 1972) was an Indo-Fijian farmers' leader and politician. He formed the most successful farmers' union in Fiji and forced the ...
. After initially opposing its formation, the Government and the sole sugar milling company in Fiji,
Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR), were forced to recognise the Sangh as it gained support from most of the farmers and in 1941 won major gains for sugar cane farmers. This early success was not to be repeated with the formation of rival unions and the use of unions as power base for political aspirants. It gradually lost support and at present has an insignificant influence on Fiji's sugar industry.
Fiji Indian Football Association (1938)
The Fiji Indian Football Association was formed under the leadership of Arthur Stanley Farebrother, a Suva businessman, as teams from
Suva
Suva () is the capital and largest city of Fiji. It is the home of the country's largest metropolitan area and serves as its major port. The city is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, in Rewa Province, Central Divi ...
,
Rewa
Rewa may refer to:
Places Fiji
* Rewa (Fijian Communal Constituency, Fiji), a former electoral division of Fiji
* Rewa Plateau, between the Kaimur and Vindhya Ranges in Madhya Pradesh
* Rewa Province, Fiji
* Rewa River, the widest river in Fiji
...
,
Ba,
Levuka
Levuka () is a Local government in Fiji, town on the eastern coast of the Fijian island of Ovalau (Fiji), Ovalau, in Lomaiviti Province, in the Eastern Division, Fiji, Eastern Division of Fiji. Prior to 1877, it was the capital of Fiji. At the c ...
and
Lautoka
Lautoka () is the second largest Local government in Fiji, city in Fiji. It is on the west coast of the island of Viti Levu, in the Ba Province of the Western Division, Fiji, Western Division. Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane-growing r ...
gathered in Suva for an inter-district tournament on 8 October 1938. The first inter-district football tournament was played for the Lloyd - Farebother trophy donated by Lloyd and Company and A.S. Farebrother and Company. The following year
Nadi
Nadi (pronounced ) is the third-largest conurbation in Fiji. It is located on the western side of the main island of Viti Levu, and had a population of 42,284 at the most recent census, in 2007. A 2012 estimate showed that the population had ...
,
Nadroga
Nadroga-Navosa ( Nadroga: Nadrogā-Navoha) is one of the fourteen provinces of Fiji and one of eight based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. It is about 2,385 square kilometers and occupies the South-West and Central areas of Viti Levu, Fiji' ...
and
Rakiraki
Rakiraki () is a district in Fiji's Ra Province. It is located between Tavua and Korovou when travelling along the Kings Road, on the northern coast of Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island.
At the 1996 census, the Rakiraki district had a populati ...
also joined the Association. In 1943
Navua
Navua () is a town in Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeas ...
and
Tailevu/Naitasiri joined the Association and
Taveuni
Taveuni (pronounced ) is the third-largest island in Fiji, after Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, with a total land area of . The cigar-shaped island, a massive shield volcano which rises from the floor of the Pacific Ocean, is situated to the east of ...
joined in 1947. In 1958, when the association celebrated its 21st inter-district tournament, 14 districts took part.
Dakshina India Andhra Sangam (1941)
The ''Dakshina India Andhra Sangam'' of Fiji was formed on 20 April 1941, under the leadership of Alipati Tataiya and Veeranna, at the Gallau Temple in
Ra. The aim of the new ''Sangam'' was to promote
Telugu language
Telugu (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken by Telugu people predominantly living in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where it is also the official language. It is the most widely spoken member of the Dravidian language fami ...
and culture. Initially Telugus in Fiji were members of the TISI Sangam, but its domination by the more numerous
Tamils
The Tamil people, also known as Tamilar ( ta, தமிழர், Tamiḻar, translit-std=ISO, in the singular or ta, தமிழர்கள், Tamiḻarkaḷ, translit-std=ISO, label=none, in the plural), or simply Tamils (), are a Drav ...
led to the formation of the A''ndhra Sangam''.
Maha Sangh (1941)
''Akhil Fiji Krishak Maha Sangh'' (All Fiji Farmers’ Grand Union) was a
sugar cane
Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of (often hybrid) tall, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fibrous stalks t ...
farmers'
union
Union commonly refers to:
* Trade union, an organization of workers
* Union (set theory), in mathematics, a fundamental operation on sets
Union may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment
Music
* Union (band), an American rock group
** ''Un ...
formed on 15 June 1941 in opposition to the existing union, the
Kisan Sangh
Kisan Sangh was the first farmers' union formed in Fiji on 27 November 1937. This was the result of one man's determination to improve the plight of Fiji's Indian cane farmers. Ayodhya Prasad had arrived from India in 1929, and after a stint as ...
. The people responsible for the formation of a second sugar cane farmers' union in Fiji were
A. D. Patel and
Swami Rudrananda
Swami Rudrananda (11 March 1901 – 30 June 1985), born Muthukrishnan, was an Indian Hindu monk and a disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic, Swami Shivananda, the direct disciple of Ramakrishna. After moving to Fiji in 1936 he became on ...
. The union was supported mainly by the
South Indian
South India, also known as Dakshina Bharata or Peninsular India, consists of the peninsular southern part of India. It encompasses the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the union territo ...
sugar cane farmers in
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
. The Maha Sangh provided the support base for the launch of the political career of A. D. Patel. The Sangh was one of the unions that joined the umbrella organisation, the
Federation of Cane Growers The Federation of Cane Growers was formed as an umbrella organisation to negotiate the new cane contract due to take effect from 1960 with the Colonial Sugar Refining Company.
Negotiations for 1960 cane contract
Talks on the new contract starte ...
to negotiate the 1960 sugar cane contract with the CSR and remained within this organisation as it grew to be a fully fledged union. The original members of the Sangh remained the main support base for the
Federation of Cane Growers and its successor, the
Fiji Cane Growers Association The Fiji Cane Growers Association (FCGA) is a cane farmers' union established in 1992 by supporters of the National Federation Party (NFP).
After the 1987 military coup in Fiji, most of the farmers' unions curtailed their activities, leaving the ...
.
Maunatul Islam Association of Fiji (1942)
Maunatul Islam Association of Fiji (MIAF) represents approximately 30% of the
Sunni
Sunni Islam () is the largest branch of Islam, followed by 85–90% of the world's Muslims. Its name comes from the word '' Sunnah'', referring to the tradition of Muhammad. The differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims arose from a disagr ...
Muslim
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
s in
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
who are mostly followers of
Imam
Imam (; ar, إمام '; plural: ') is an Islamic leadership position. For Sunni Muslims, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a worship leader of a mosque. In this context, imams may lead Islamic worship services, lead prayers, ser ...
Shafi
The Shafii ( ar, شَافِعِي, translit=Shāfiʿī, also spelled Shafei) school, also known as Madhhab al-Shāfiʿī, is one of the four major traditional schools of religious law (madhhab) in the Sunnī branch of Islam. It was founded by ...
. The followers of Imam Shafi in Fiji are the descendants of Muslims of
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...
origin who came to Fiji under the
indenture
An indenture is a legal contract that reflects or covers a debt or purchase obligation. It specifically refers to two types of practices: in historical usage, an indentured servant status, and in modern usage, it is an instrument used for commercia ...
system from
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...
in
South India
South India, also known as Dakshina Bharata or Peninsular India, consists of the peninsular southern part of India. It encompasses the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the union territo ...
between 1903 and 1916. The other Sunni Muslim organisation in Fiji, the
Fiji Muslim League
Fiji Muslim League (FML) is an organisation founded in 1926 in Fiji. Following its foundation the organisation set up branches across the country. Most of the Muslim schools in Fiji are operated by the Fiji Muslim League.
History
Formation ...
, represents all other Sunni Muslims in Fiji who are mostly followers of Imam
Hanafi
The Hanafi school ( ar, حَنَفِية, translit=Ḥanafiyah; also called Hanafite in English), Hanafism, or the Hanafi fiqh, is the oldest and one of the four traditional major Sunni schools ( maddhab) of Islamic Law (Fiqh). It is named aft ...
. The organisation originally operated under the name of Then India Maunatul Islam Association of Fiji since it was officially formed in 1942. One of the most prominent past President and Speaker of the Association was the late Hon
S.M. Koya.
Rewa Planters Union (1943)
The Rewa Planters Union was formed on 14 July 1943 at a meeting attended by 1500 cane farmers from
Rewa Province
Rewa is a province of Fiji. With a land area of 272 square kilometers (the smallest of Fiji's provinces), it includes the capital city of Suva (but not most of Suva's suburbs) and is in two parts — one including part of Suva's hinterland to the ...
,
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
. The union was formed in reaction to the strike of cane farmers taking place in the
Western Division. The Government had appointed a commission to inquire into the farmers' grievances and the Rewa farmers wanted to send a representative to it. The Rewa Planters Union took an active role in the negotiations for the 1950 cane contract. With the closure of the
Nausori
Nausori () is a town in Fiji. It had a population of 57,866 at the 2017 census. This makes it the fourth most populous municipality in the country. Situated 19 kilometers outside of Suva, it forms one pole of the burgeoning Suva-Nausori corrido ...
sugar mill in 1959, the union ceased to exist.
Southern Division Kisan Sangh (1946)
The Southern Division Kisan Sangh was formed in 1946 by a former member of parliament,
K. B. Singh
Kunwar Bachint Singh (1905 – 1979) was an Indo-Fijians, Indo-Fijian teacher and politician. He arrived in Fiji in 1927 as a teacher for the Arya Samaj in Fiji, Arya Samaj but his association with Vishnu Deo led him to play an active role in a ...
, due to personal differences with the president of the
Rewa Planters Union. There was widespread opposition to this until
Vishnu Deo
Pt. Vishnu Deo (Hindi: विष्णु देव) OBE (17 July 1900 – 7 May 1968) was the first Fiji born and bred leader of the Indo-Fijians. From his initial election to the Legislative Council in 1929 to his retirement in 1959, he rema ...
took over its leadership. The Southern Division Kisan Sangh took an active role in the negotiations for the 1950 cane contract. With the closure of the
Nausori
Nausori () is a town in Fiji. It had a population of 57,866 at the 2017 census. This makes it the fourth most populous municipality in the country. Situated 19 kilometers outside of Suva, it forms one pole of the burgeoning Suva-Nausori corrido ...
sugar mill in 1959, the union ceased to exist.
Vishal Sangh (1946)
''Vishal Sangh'' (Great Union) was a cane farmers union established in
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
on 1 September 1946, by mainly
Sikh
Sikhs ( or ; pa, ਸਿੱਖ, ' ) are people who adhere to Sikhism, Sikhism (Sikhi), a Monotheism, monotheistic religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Gu ...
farmers, who refused to re-join the
Kisan Sangh
Kisan Sangh was the first farmers' union formed in Fiji on 27 November 1937. This was the result of one man's determination to improve the plight of Fiji's Indian cane farmers. Ayodhya Prasad had arrived from India in 1929, and after a stint as ...
after its reunification following the split of the Kisan Sangh into two factions in 1943. It was led by
Mehar Singh
Padri Mehar Singh was one of the founding members of Fiji's Kisan Sangh when it was established in 1937. He remained a prominent member of the union until 1943, when he and Ramcharan Singh led a faction that supported the strike instigated by th ...
, one of the founding members of the Kisan Sangh and its former vice-president. The Vishal Sangh played an active role in negotiations for cane contracts in 1950 and 1960 but always aligned itself with
A. D. Patel and the
Maha Sangh Akhil Fiji Krishak Maha Sangh (All Fiji Farmers’ Grand Union) was a sugar cane farmers' union formed on 15 June 1941 in opposition to the existing union, the Kisan Sangh. Supporters of Kisan Sangh tried to stop the formation of the Maha Sangh but ...
.
Labasa Kisan Sangh (1950)
The ''Labasa Kisan Sangh'' (Labasa Farmers Union) was formed in 1950 as negotiations began for the new cane contract and was based on the island of
Vanua Levu
Vanua Levu (pronounced ), formerly known as Sandalwood Island, is the second largest island of Fiji. Located to the north of the larger Viti Levu, the island has an area of and a population of 135,961 .
Geology
Fiji lies in a tectonically ...
in
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
. It was sponsored by the
Kisan Sangh
Kisan Sangh was the first farmers' union formed in Fiji on 27 November 1937. This was the result of one man's determination to improve the plight of Fiji's Indian cane farmers. Ayodhya Prasad had arrived from India in 1929, and after a stint as ...
and
Ayodhya Prasad
Ayodhya Prasad Sharma (Hindi: अयोध्या प्रसाद शर्मा, 30 April 1909 – 28 February 1972) was an Indo-Fijian farmers' leader and politician. He formed the most successful farmers' union in Fiji and forced the ...
based in the western districts of
Viti Levu
Viti Levu (pronounced ) is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji. It is the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.
Geology
Fiji lies in a tectonically complex area between the Australian P ...
and was in competition of the Maha Sangh, which had also spread its activities to Vanua Levu. Due to its distance from the main island and communication problems, this union remained autonomous from the main body in Viti Levu and provided the political power base for
Vijay R. Singh.
Federation of Cane Growers (1959)
The Federation of Cane Growers was formed as an umbrella organisation to negotiate the new cane contract due to take effect from 1960 with the
Colonial Sugar Refining Company. Talks on the new contract started on 5 January 1960. The farmers’ representatives were from the
Maha Sangh Akhil Fiji Krishak Maha Sangh (All Fiji Farmers’ Grand Union) was a sugar cane farmers' union formed on 15 June 1941 in opposition to the existing union, the Kisan Sangh. Supporters of Kisan Sangh tried to stop the formation of the Maha Sangh but ...
, the
Vishal Sangh Vishal Sangh was a cane farmers' union established in Fiji on 1 September 1946, by mainly Sikh farmers, who refused to re-join the Kisan Sangh after its reunification following its split into two factions in 1943. It was led by Mehar Singh, one of ...
, the
Labasa Kisan Sangh, and the
Kisan Sangh
Kisan Sangh was the first farmers' union formed in Fiji on 27 November 1937. This was the result of one man's determination to improve the plight of Fiji's Indian cane farmers. Ayodhya Prasad had arrived from India in 1929, and after a stint as ...
. The united front did not last as the two Kisan Sanghs accepted the contract offered by the Company while the Maha Sangh and Vishal Sangh opposed it and called their members out on strike.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (1960)
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, although not an Indian only organisation, it does however originate from India and many of the members in Fiji are of an Indian descent. The community also runs a school in Fiji, the Ahmadiyya Muslim school and holds the distinction of managing the largest mosque in the
South Pacific, the Fazle Omar Msoque.
Citizens Federation (1963)
The Federation of Cane Growers Committee contested the 1963
Legislative Council election under the banner of Citizens Federation. It was not a properly constituted political party but sought to promote economic, cultural and political progress and stability in a united Fiji. All three Citizen’s Federation candidates were elected to the Legislative Council. In the Western Constituency, A.D. Patel defeated the president of the Kisan Sangh by 6244 votes to 3346, in the North Viti Levu Constituency, Sidiq Koya defeated
James Shankar Singh
James Shankar Singh, MBE (May 10, 1924 – July 27, 2014) was a Fiji Indian farmer, businessman, social worker and politician who served as a Minister in the Alliance Government of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Like many Fiji Indian politicians of ...
by 3,998 votes to 3,480 and in the Northern Constituency
James Madhavan
James Madhavan (died 20 December 1973) was an Indo-Fijian politician. He was a member of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives for most of the period between 1947 and 1973 and had two spells in the Executive Council.
Biography
Ma ...
defeated won by 2,753 votes to 2,175. There was no Citizens Federation candidate in the Southern Constituency, won by
Andrew Deoki. All the three candidates opposing the Citizens Federation candidates were supporters of the
Kisan Sangh
Kisan Sangh was the first farmers' union formed in Fiji on 27 November 1937. This was the result of one man's determination to improve the plight of Fiji's Indian cane farmers. Ayodhya Prasad had arrived from India in 1929, and after a stint as ...
Federation Party (1964)
The success of the
Citizens Federation
The Citizens Federation was the political expression of a predominantly Indo-Fijian trade union movement, and was a forerunner of the present day National Federation Party.
A dispute between cane farmers and the Colonial Sugar Refining Company ...
in the
1963 elections, and the impending constitutional convention, prompted
A. D. Patel to transform the Citizens Federation into a fully fledged political party. The
Federation Party
The Federation Party was Fiji's first formal political party. The Citizens Federation, which had won three of the four seats reserved for Indo-Fijians at the 1963 elections, decided to formalize its role as a political party, which was officia ...
came into existence on 21 June 1964, with A.D. Patel as President and
S.M. Koya as Vice-president. In 1968 it merged with the
National Democratic Party to form the
National Federation Party
The National Federation Party is a Fijian political party founded by A. D. Patel, A.D. Patel in November 1968, as a merger of the Federation Party and the National Democratic Party (Fiji, 1960s), National Democratic Party. Though it claimed to ...
, which is still a player on the
Fijian political scene.
National Congress of Fiji (1965)
{{main, National Congress of Fiji
The National Congress of Fiji was formed on 10 January 1965 in
Lautoka
Lautoka () is the second largest Local government in Fiji, city in Fiji. It is on the west coast of the island of Viti Levu, in the Ba Province of the Western Division, Fiji, Western Division. Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane-growing r ...
, Fiji by
Ayodhya Prasad
Ayodhya Prasad Sharma (Hindi: अयोध्या प्रसाद शर्मा, 30 April 1909 – 28 February 1972) was an Indo-Fijian farmers' leader and politician. He formed the most successful farmers' union in Fiji and forced the ...
, the Secretary of the
Kisan Sangh
Kisan Sangh was the first farmers' union formed in Fiji on 27 November 1937. This was the result of one man's determination to improve the plight of Fiji's Indian cane farmers. Ayodhya Prasad had arrived from India in 1929, and after a stint as ...
. The Congress sent a telegram to the
Secretary General
Secretary is a title often used in organizations to indicate a person having a certain amount of authority, power, or importance in the organization. Secretaries announce important events and communicate to the organization. The term is derived ...
of the
United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and international security, security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be ...
stating that 80,000
Fiji Indians wanted to settle in a foreign country. The telegram had the desired result, as under pressure from the United Nations the Colonial Secretary called a Constitutional Conference for 26 July 1965. Ayodhya The Congress was bitterly opposed to
A. D. Patel and the
Federation Party
The Federation Party was Fiji's first formal political party. The Citizens Federation, which had won three of the four seats reserved for Indo-Fijians at the 1963 elections, decided to formalize its role as a political party, which was officia ...
. In October 1965, Ayodhya Prasad met
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Kamisese Mara
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, (6 May 1920 – 18 April 2004) was a Fijian politician, who served as Chief Minister from 1967 to 1970, when Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and, apart from one brief interruption in 1987, the fi ...
and suggested the establishment of a new political party made up of the
Fijian Association
Fijian may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to the country of Fiji
* The Fijians, persons from Fiji, or of Fijian descent. For more information about the Fijian people, see:
** Demographics of Fiji
** Culture of Fiji
* The Fijian language ...
and National Congress of Fiji. In the
1966 elections, two members of the Congress contested the election for the Alliance Party and lost. With
Vijay R. Singh supporting direct membership of the Alliance, relations between him and Prasad worsened and the National Congress was wound up in 1967.