Anjuman autonomy

Serious concerns have been voiced in various communications addressed to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and in the Press about the proposed world body of Zoroastrians. The issue, particularly agitating the minds of certain sections of the community, is regarding the definition of a Zoroastrian. This is due to the fact that in various parts of the world several bodies representing Zoroastrians of those regions have adopted their particular definition, suiting the environment in which they live.

Based on current discussions we would like to clarify: As and when the world body does get formed it will have two arms — WZOI (World Zoroastrian Organisation of Individuals); and WZOF (World Zoroastrian Organisation of Federations).

Besides these there will be an apex body, IZO (International Zoroastrian Organisation). The object of the IZO will be to serve only as a link between the two bodies. It will facilitate communication between WZOI and WZOF and be a repository of important information such as population, medical and social trends. It will have a totally separate board comprising eminent senior representatives from WZOI and WZOF. It will not exercise any control or influence whatsoever over the functioning of WZOI and WZOF.

If the world body is formed, it is obvious that only the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) will become a member of the WZOF. The BPP will only be indirectly connected with WZOF. It will, thus, be abundantly clear that the question of any non-Zoroastrians exercising any influence on the functioning of its members (FPZAI in this case) or, for that matter, on the BPP does not arise.

All the members of WZOF will have total autonomy within their regions and will be governed entirely by their own code and practices.

In the light of the above the apprehension of a small section of the community that non-Zoroastrians will get the vantage position which will influence the functioning of the WZOF is totally unwarranted.

We wish to assure the members of our community that the trustees of the BPP exist for the welfare of the Parsi Zoroastrians and therefore will do nothing which will harm in any way and/or prejudice the community’s interests. M. R. SHROFF

Chairman

Bombay Parsi Punchayet