Reports in the Fiji Times describe Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam (TISI Sangam) as an Indian charity organization (21 Nov. 1998), an organization comprising South Indians in Fiji (6 Apr. 1999), and Fiji's largest multi-religious South Indian group (23 June 1999). In one report the organization's secretary described TISI Sangam as a multi-religious organization that respects all religions and believes in peace and harmony between the Hindu, Muslim and Christian religious communities (ibid.). TISI Sangam owns the US$1.2 million Subramaniya Swami Temple of Nadi, Fiji's largest, and operates 26 schools and many other temples (Hinduism Today 31 Dec. 1998). TISI Sangam's president is quoted as describing the temple, which is seen as "represent[ing] a resurgence of Hinduism in Fiji and a statement of confidence in the island's future by Hindus," as "our gift to the nation" (ibid.).

The national president of TISI Sangam is Yenktesh Permal Reddy (Fiji Times 6 Apr. 1999; ibid. 21 Nov. 1998; Hinduism Today 31 Dec. 1998), and its secretary is Naveentha Krishna Naidu (Fiji Times 23 June 1999). Surya Khan is described as a TISI Sangam leader, but his position is not given (ibid. 21 Nov. 1998).

On 20 May 2000 the Waikato Times reported on a riot in Suva in which many shops owned by Hindus were looted and burned. The report quotes a TISI spokesman as condemning the incident and describing the riots as a sad day for Fiji (ibid.).

The names of the TISI Sangam national vice-presidents and cultural chairman in 1998 could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Fiji Times. 23 June 1999. "News Briefs." http://fiji.gov.fj/core/news/n_99_06/n_99_06_23.html [Accessed 12 June 2000]

_____. 6 April 1999. "News Briefs." http://fiji.gov.fj/core/news/n_99_04/n_99_04_06.html [Accessed 12 June 2000]

_____. 21 November 1998. "News Briefs: Controversial Issues/Politics." http://fiji.gov.fj/core/ news/n_98_11/n_98_11_21.html [Accessed 12 June 2000]

Hinduism Today. 31 December 1998. "India's Gift to the Islands." (The Ethnic NewsWatch/NEXIS)

Waikato Times [Hamilton]. 20 May 2000. Nemani Delaibatiki. "Looting, Burning Spree Leaves Suva Like a War Zone." (NEXIS)

Country Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999. September 1999.

IRB databases.

LEXIS-NEXIS.

World News Connection (WNC).

Internet sites including:

Fiji Live.

Fiji Times.

Fiji Village News.

Hinduism Today.

Pacific Development News. (UNDP Suva)

Political Parties, Interest Groups and Other Movements.

The Times of India [New Delhi].

Internet search engines:

AAA Matilda Fiji.

Dogpile.

Google.