Rabid radicals

"We do acknowledge that there is no idea and practise of proselytization in the Zoroastrian religion. However the religion enjoins that every human being must remain faithful and practise the religion in which one is born and at the same time treat the people of other religions with humility, respect, justice and philanthropy. There is no derogatory term for non-Zoroastrians in our religion. It is a matter of regret that a member of the priestly class used such derogatory language,” clarified the High Priests vide their letter of May 7, in response to a letter from Rusi Dhondy, editor of Jam-e-Jamshed. In his letter of April 20, 2005 to the High Priests, Dhondy had cautioned, "If Ervad Bomi Vajifdar and D. Patel are symptomatic of the orthodoxy in the community then we are afraid there is no hope for orthodoxy or, for that matter, our community to survive, leave alone thrive.”

He was wary of the missives being circulated on the Internet in the preceding month under the names of Ervad Bomi Vazifdar of Lahore, D. Patel and Cawsi addressed to Gita who it would appear was interested in converting to Zoroastrianism. Reading the vile and offensive language, the derogatory sentiments expressed against Ali Jafarey, Keki Gandhi and Mobed Ajghar, and the rabid fundamentalism professed, it is doubtful whether Gita would have pursued her interest in the religion. There are apparently several concocted websites and e-mail addresses (like www.mahachor. chasniwala-khandhias.com and www. iroonchasniwala.com) cited in this motivated correspondence. Parsiana’s repeated attempts to verify the authenticity of this exchange of letters brought forth no response.

"If this is the brand of Zoroastrianism and Parsipanu that is being practiced and cannot be controlled by you, then we are sorry to say that your position as spiritual leaders stands diluted. Our purpose is not to show any disrespect to any one of you but only to represent that excess in anything, even orthodoxy, is revolting and not tolerable in this day and age by any right thinking person. Unless you exercise your authority as High Priests and rein in such radical and extremist elements it will be interpreted that you are giving tacit encouragement to the convergence and absorption of orthodoxy into rank fundamentalism. Is this what you all want?” rhetorically read Dhondy’s second letter dated May 11, 2005 addressed to the seven Dasturs.

As noted a full page editorial in the Jamé of May 15, "The community is being fed a diet that many cannot digest, a diet of so-called racial purity…Men created by the same God are being differentiated and being made out to be children of a lesser God…While fanaticism amongst the Parsis is increasing, members of other communities are showing great vision and commitment by forging unity and amity between different communities…”