The National Federation Party says the Government is mixing religion with politics describing it as a despicable and shameful act.

Responding to the Prime Minister’s speech at a temple in Nakasi on Tuesday, NFP Leader Biman Prasad says it was a classic case of how the Government is using places of worship to preach politics and shamelessly accuse Opposition political parties.

He says it was hypocritical of the Government to preach misinformation, lies and cheap politics in a temple when it had accused others of doing so, in particular the Methodist Church for some years was prevented from holding its annual conference.

Prasad says it’s a blatant lie that opposition parties have not condemned desecration of temples.

He says they have done so through the media right at the outset, calling for a full-scale police investigation and harsher penalties for those found guilty of such acts.

He says they even visited three temples that were desecrated and don’t have to publicise their visits.

Professor Prasad says both the Prime Minister and the Attorney General should learn from the Police Commissioner who outlined what the Force is doing in terms of investigating offences of desecration and increasing police visibility.