“I should be thanked”

Much has already been written about the hooliganism at the Federation meeting held at Ahmedabad on December 18-19, 2004. But I would like to place on record my experiences there.

I had been invited to make a presentation on "Demography” at this meeting. Besides this, Mrs Meher Medora, the managing trustee of the Ushta-te Foundation in Ahmedabad had invited me to speak on December 17 on "The Revival of Zarathushti Culture.” This was to be followed by a film portraying the various cultural activities, which have been undertaken by the World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation.

Several days prior to the talk, Mr Navroze Kanga (the erstwhile joint secretary of the Ahmedabad Parsi Punchayet) was contacted by Mr Khojeste Mistree over the phone. Mr Kanga was asked by Mr Mistree as to why Homi Dhalla had been invited to speak. Mr Kanga informed him that he had nothing to do with my talk as this was organized by the Ushta-te Foundation.

Subsequently, one Anahita Desai called up Mrs Medora and asked the same question. Mrs Medora retorted that she could invite anyone she chose to. The presentation on the 17th took place as scheduled.

At the Federation meeting on the 19th, the rowdyism escalating into uncouth insults was calculated to disrupt the proceedings. During lunch, a lady came over to warn me that there was a plan to attack me during my presentation that afternoon. I was appalled.

This marks a new low in terrorizing anyone who holds a different viewpoint. Does this mean that every scholar has to seek permission from Mr Mistree to address meetings? Does this mean that scholars have to submit their papers beforehand to be monitored by Mr Mistree? Does this mean that Anjumans or organizations have to ensure Mr Mistree’s approval of their choice of speakers? I would like an answer to these questions.

Dr Homi B. Dhalla

Khojeste Mistree replies

Thank you for giving me a chance to respond to Dhalla’s wild allegations. Clearly, Dhalla seems to credit me with more than I deserve. Does not one have the right to ask, as to the topic of a public talk and give one’s view in private? Or is Dhalla going to censor my personal conversation with Navroze Kanga whom I know well? He must appreciate that as a public figure he can be questioned and challenged by those in the audience who find his content and inferences inaccurate and misleading.

The connection between rowdyism and myself as Dhalla has inferred, is in poor taste and the plan to "attack him” is quite laughable. Dhalla gives too much importance to himself, specially as his presence was quite peripheral to all the issues raised at the Federation meeting. Perhaps he needs to acquire a better sense of humor and not succumb to every rumor that comes his way, more so if he wishes to remain a public figure. In fact it was because of my raising the issue of demography in the open forum, that Dhalla had the opportunity to respond to the concerns raised by me. If anything, I should be thanked by him for it.