Fiji's NFP Leader Calls for Formal Hindi and i-Taukei as Compulsory Subjects, Opposes Fiji Hindi Promotion

National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad has strongly advocated for formal Hindi and i-Taukei (Vosa Vakaviti) to become compulsory subjects in Fiji's schools up to Year 8. He criticized Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya's stance on Fiji Hindi, calling efforts to promote it over formal Hindi "insulting" and a threat to Indo-Fijian linguistic heritage.

Professor Prasad emphasized that formal Hindi should anchor vernacular education in primary schools, noting growing cross-cultural interest in language learning among Fiji's ethnic communities. He called for supporting institutions run by TISI Sangam, the Fiji Muslim League, and Chinese and Gujarati communities to teach additional languages including Tamil, Urdu, Mandarin, and Gujarati.

While acknowledging Fiji Hindi's role in everyday communication, Prasad insisted it should not be recognized as a standalone vernacular language. He argued that Hindi scriptures are written in formal Hindi and rejected the Constitution's reference to *conversational and contemporary Hindi* as compulsory in schools.

Prasad concluded by warning that the NFP would resist any attempts to diminish formal Hindi's status as one of Fiji's official languages.