Survival of the community

The Parsi community is said to be the most endangered species in India just like tigers and lions and our survival is at risk. Our inability to come to terms with the same is threatening to tear apart what was once a close-knit community in the country. Alarmed by the steady demographic decline of the population the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) sponsored several measures to aug­ment the population, but without much success. The incentive of Rs 1,000 every month for the third child of every Parsi couple till he attains the age of 18 years given by it did not produce desired results towards increase of the population.

Several causes have been advanced for the steady but sharp decline of the population, e.g. interfaith marriages (one-third of the members marry outside the community), initiation of children of such marriages into the Zoroastrian faith (on perfor­mance of their navjote such children are not usually accepted as Parsi Zoroastrians), marriage at an advanced age (reducing there­by the reproduction rate), low reproduction rate (considered to be as low as 1.1 percent), large number of unmarried persons (40 percent reportedly do not marry), migration of the youth (educat­ed youths, specially males, migrate to foreign countries) and housing in metro cities (many Parsis in Bombay do not marry for lack of suitable accommodation).

In this connection it is gratifying to note that the BPP has recently started a new initiative by way of a fertility drive, whereby young couples will be given professional guidance and advice by experts in the field of planning a family at the early stage and to overcome social, economic, biological or psy­chological problems relating thereto.

Initiation of children of interfaith marriages is the sine qua non, a really crucial factor for the survival of our minuscule community. Parsis settled in Canada and the USA have shown the way quietly and unobtrusively — children of parents one of whom is a non-Parsi have been freely admitted into the Zo­roastrian religion and have fervently professed and practiced it. Parsis in India should emulate their example for the survival of our dwindling community. It is high time that the trustees of the BPP take a bold decision in the matter. Customs are not eternal and ancient customs in a modern society are fast changing.

The writing on the wall is very clear. Alarm bells are ringing throughout the country asking the leaders of the communi­ty to awaken from their slumber and save it from extinction. The matter should be grappled on a war footing by treating the issue as most crucial for survival of the community. The BPP and the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) should put controversial issues [e.g. BPP and FPZAI joining the world body (International Zoroastrian Organization)] for the present on the back burner and give highest priority to the issue regarding the survival of the community.

The trustees of the BPP have throughout remained at the epicenter of the community by devoting much of their time and attention to community matters. At times they have to walk the tight rope and take tough decisions in complicated matters in the larger interests of the community. Survival of the community is one of such matters. In view of the urgency and great importance of the matter it is suggested that the BPP may forthwith convene a meeting of the Samast Parsi Anjuman to discuss this crucial issue and the steps to be taken to overcome the same. Decisions taken at that meeting will help the trustees in resolving this knotty problem.

We must ultimately fend for ourselves as best as we can. I am confident that if we believe in rebirth most of the readers of this article, if not all, would like to be born Parsi Zoroast­rians.

RUSTOM S. GAE

New Delhi