TZML adrift

Factions within the orthodox surface at regular intervals. First it was the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis that received criticisms from its erstwhile supporters who accused the newly formed body of deviating from its hard-lined approach by accepting the children of Parsi fathers and non-Parsi mothers. Recently the Traditional Zarathush­tris Mailing List (TZML) whose website proclaims "Traditionals are the real Zara-thustris” was embroiled in controversy following the change of ownership from Porus Havewalla to Tehemton Adenwalla.

The disgruntled former members of the TZML board, unhappy with the new owner of their website, started their own website named Traditional MazdaYasni Zarathushtis (TMYZ).

"TMYZ is a new traditional group with a new identity and e-mail address, but is same as the TZML. The former sole owner of TZML, Havewalla, relinquished the ownership of TZML due to certain mitigating circumstances. Hence TMYZ was formed under the ownership of Hushang A. Vakil,” notes the TMYZ board in response to a clarification sought by Parsiana.

"There is no change in the board members or objectives of TMYZ from TZML. All the board members of TZML who have chosen to remain active are now involved with TMYZ. There is no duplication of board members in these two groups.” The TMYZ board comprises Pervin Mistry, Sam Billimoria, Zenobia Patel, Neville Gandhi, Hushang Vakil, Hanoz Mistry, Firdosh Sukhia.

"Havewalla has approved the formation of the new TMYZ, and has also linked the website www.zoroastrianism. com and the matrimonial site in it, which belongs to him. With the grace of Dadar Ahura Mazda, the transition to TMYZ is now complete and successful with active participating members and discussions as usual. We continue to grow everyday,” adds the TMYZ board.

Last Christmas, an e-mail was circulated by Gandhi stating, "We the board of TZML are facing a technical and personal problems and since it cannot be solved we are left with no solution but to move over to a new list called Mazdayasni Traditional Zarathushtis (MYTZ)…At this juncture we deem it appropriate to inform you that Adenwalla… has nothing to do with MYTZ/TZML and the board has dissolved TZML vide a no confidence motion in Adenwalla.”

The next day Adenwalla sent a rejoinder: "The TZML board cannot take any such drastic steps without consulting the rightful owner/s of TZML.” Have­walla with whom Adenwalla had been "working on religious projects for more than 15 years” had reportedly appointed Aden­walla co-owner "at an auspicious good time” on September 27, 2005. Subsequently Havewalla "stepped down from TZML” leaving Adenwalla as "the only and sole owner. Co-owners have equal rights and one co-owner is not greater than another…” maintains Adenwalla whose inconsistent reference to himself as the "sole owner” and as the "co-owner” sends confusing signals. Apparently the board members were miffed that they were not intimated about the change of ownership. Adenwalla insists that the board was not informed initially because the co-owners thought it prudent to do so after Havewalla returned from his holiday. The board members have thereafter been demanding a say in ownership which Adenwalla maintains he offered to communicate to Havewalla after the latter got better.

"However the board keeps on demanding instant action and I as a rightfully appointed owner do not think that is statesmanly. These issues take time to resolve and in the mean time the board has been given enough power by the co-owner/s to carry on their responsibilities of running TZML…

"The board members are like the ervad sahibs of an agiary, they are responsible for the daily running of our group and form policies to ensure that orthodoxy and the seven pillars are adhered to in all that they do. The owners are like trustees of an agiary, they help the board members… The board members have every right to make recommendations to trustees/owners and have harmonious discussions with them on matters related to our community and TZML, but they cannot force trustees to accept all their recommendations. The trustees/owners too have a say in some crucial matters...” maintained Adenwalla before concluding, "Both owner/s and board members are important to the harmonious functioning of TZML and I hereby publicly appeal to the board members to resolve our current differences in a proper and harmonious manner.”

TZML members are "hundreds of born Mazdayasni Zarathushtris who have full faith and pride in the tenets of our ancient religion. This is a place where the religion will be protected on the Internet and not attacked as it is in the unhappy liberal lists,” claims their website. The tenets of the faith as propounded by them state the Gathas, Yashts and Vendidad are sacred and prescriptions in the Vendidad like observing menstrual segregation should be observed; the fire temples and rituals of the yasna are sacred and necessary; dakhmenashini is the only method of corpse destruction for a Zarathushti; a member of the community should only marry a Zoroastrian; conversion is not acceptable as even Zarathushtra did not convert but only re-revealed the original faith; with the arrival of a saoshyant (savior) evil will be vanquished and righteousness promoted.