Declare independence

The Zarathushti community in North America (NA) today is almost in the same situation as the American colonies were just before the Declaration of Independence over 200 years ago which eventually led to the formation of the prosperous United States of America.

The general understanding among the community members in NA is considerably different and much more tolerant than the Indian community which allows itself to be dominated by a vociferous few spouting rigid doctrines of exclusivity and isolation. It is high time we elected our own ‘vada dasturjis’ known for their broadness of vision, rather than allow ourselves to be led by the narrow, racist, intolerant dasturs from the old country. It is time to make our own ‘Declaration of Independence.’

Perhaps that will become the starting point for a movement to greater moderation in the Indian Zarathushti community which at the moment seems to be set on a ‘suicidal’ course, led by dasturs with ‘closed-eyes optimism’ about survival, in spite of census figures to the contrary.

JAMSHED R. UDVADIA

Lansing, MI, USA