Why divorce?

At this time when I am celebrating my golden wedding anniversary, I regret the cases of conflicts, separations and finally divorce of once loving couples in our cultured community. Often infatuation for the opposite sex, rather than love, prompts individuals to tie the knot. A marriage requires mutual understanding, ad­justments, dedication, an open mind, tolerance and an urge to make the life partner happy in all walks of life. A married life requires courage to face what may come.

The Parsi community is well-known for living peacefully and amicably with other communities, tolerating the different cul­tures and strange temperaments. Then why can’t we have tolerance, friendliness and wise counsel within our own community, espe­cially in our family, and with our ‘better half?’

Our religion condemns divorce as a breach of straightfor­wardness (ashoi) and considers divorce as a crime. Breach of con­tract or promise is considered an act against huvrashta. When marriages are arranged in our community, the factors of tapka, kundli and raas (horoscopes) are given undue importance. Wise counsel and mutual understanding can instead make a married life as secure as a firm rock.

When it is difficult to adjust with a partner of our own community, it is a hundred times more difficult with a partner and in-laws of an alien culture.

Our community needs to encourage Parsi Zarathushtrian cou­ples to marry and have progeny within the familiar cultural heritage of our renowned ancestors.

NOSHIR DABOO

Ahmedabad