Religious revival

It is very gratifying to note that the Association for Revival of Zoroas­trianism (ARZ) has been formed in Bombay with an objective to sensitize our community members to the serious drop in our numbers and to throw light on the real spirit of Zoroastrianism which of late has been systematically undermined by the rabid orthodox group with the support of the ecclesiastical leadership misguiding the gullible members of our community.

The census figures pertaining to our community indicate an alarming drop of more than 10,000 over the last decade in India. At this rate, within a generation or two, or even earlier, our community will be reduced to a status of a tribal community.

The causes for this dreadful situation are late marriages, low fertility (ours is 0.9 as against the all India 3.1), rise in intercaste marriages and our unrealistic dogmas connected with interfaith marriages and our refusal to accept children of such marriages if the father is non-Zoroastrian even when he shows no such objection.

Other communities have shown concern about the serious decline in our numbers as we are considered by them as a unique community but we have remained blasé and complacent to the problems as we still bask in the glory of our forefathers’ achievements. Amongst the minority communities in India, we are the most educated, respected, honest, intelligent, relatively prosperous and fun loving. Our community has ample resources to look after all the requirements of the needy from the womb to tomb.

So, what is the solution? Firstly a person born a Zoroastrian should be recognized as a Zoroastrian till the end of his/her life unless the person has voluntarily opted and changed to another religion. This specifically applies to all our sisters who marry outside our community. They and their children must be allowed to continue and adopt our Zoroastrian religion. This procedure will at least let the new and the coming generations add to our dwindling numbers. Further, suitable laws may be enacted to ensure the legitimacy for adopted children into Zoroas­trianism. Selective conversion to Zoroas­trianism should be introduced. After all Zoroaster not only encouraged but enjoined conversion to Zoroastrianism. It must be emphasized that all Zoroastrians have a birth right to attend all religious functions and ceremonies, irrespective of any earlier fatwa.

Dr M. D. DISAWALLA

Bangalore