The model minority

"Even as the (Parsi) community practised its religion, it inculcated the spirit of nationalism. We all should learn from this community.” The words of additional sessions judge H. U. Mahida in his 24-page verdict in the Best Bakery case delivered on June 27, 2003 were reproduced in The Sunday Express of July 20.

This judgment had evoked mixed reaction considering that all the 21 accused of murdering 14 individuals in Vadodara (11 of those killed being Muslims) over a period of 12 hours on March 1, 2002 had been acquitted even whilst the prime witnesses Zahira Sheikh and her mother Sehrunissa had turned hostile during the hearing fearing the safety of the remaining members of the family. The British policy of divide and rule, the emphasis on industrialization at the expense of villages, frustration among ‘meritorious’ people because of reservations can account for the discontent that leads to communal massacres like the Best Bakery, explained the judge.

Citing the Parsis as a model minority he added, "Parsis are the pride of the country as they reflect the principle of sarva dharma sambhav (all religions are equal). This community without creating hurdles to any caste or community has achieved economic, social, administrative and judicial progress.”

Earlier in the year chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, when addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party rally at Bombay’s Shivaji Park stated that Hindutva means accepting everybody and the Parsi community is a shining example, reported The Bombay Sama­char of January 19, 2003.

Such outward tributes to secularism have not however impressed publications like Communalism Combat which in its editorial of June-July 2003 maintains, the "consistent effort of the Gujarat government to subvert the search for justice exposes its malafide intent. The acquittals in the Best Bakery case... symbolize this malady.” Subsequently with the support of the Citizens for Justice and Peace, Zahira has deposed before the National Human Rights Commission which in turn appealed to the Supreme Court seeking fresh investigations and a re-trial outside Gujarat.