Rot in peace?

The World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ) has started running down normal thinking people like Dhun Baria.

I would like to ask WAPIZ and their esteemed chairman as to who appointed them the guardians of our faith? WAPIZ has assured our community that the dakhmas work properly even without vultures. I wonder if they have lost all common sense and are on the verge of insanity. If at all they had some semblance of sense they should realize that the vultures used to eat the flesh and natural forces would dispose of the bones. WAPIZ claims that the photographs are false so let WAPIZ organize a tour of the dakhmas for people who are interested to see for themselves that all is okay. That should put to rest this controversy. WAPIZ should remember that there was a death in the family of one of their important members and that person was buried as no dakhma was available. Why was the body not thrown in some desolate spot to rot and decay as they advocate should be done with the bodies of all Parsis? I agree that a body removed from a grave would be in bad condition but at least that body has had the privilege of lying in its own space with dignity.

Please let us solve the problem together without any individual or organization proclaiming "we will never allow this to happen.” I would request these people to then stop burial in places where dakhmas are not available and insist that as burial is not allowed and as burning is the greatest sin they should tell the government that wherever a Parsi dies his body should be thrown out to rot and that a law should be passed to prevent Parsis to dispose of their dead with dignity.

Until such time I feel the universal adage R. I. P. which means Rest In Peace would mean Rot In Peace for Parsis.

CYRUS BANAJI

Oman