“The duty of every...”

I do think that Jamsheed Kanga has not tried to study the Zoroastrian religion. He himself admits that regarding the present controversy on conversion, he has written his article ("The duty of every Zoroastrian...” Parsiana, March 21, 2006) from some old records. He should study all the scriptures and then jump into the controversy of conversion.

When he stood for the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trusteeship election he had no courage to say anything about conversion or dakhmenashini in his manifesto, but since he is not holding any office now, he has come out openly.

When he advocates conversion, would he have accepted a non-Parsi daughter-in-law or a non-Parsi son-in-law?

What was the main idea for our ancestors to leave our country of origin and settle in India? History confirms that due to persecution we left the original country to save our race and religion. So what Alexander the Great or the Arabs could not do, today one of the former BPP trustees tries to do — convert others to our holy religion.

Kanga tries his level best to show to some of the gullible members of our community that there is not a single evidence in the scriptures regarding conversion and to fortify his belief he has quoted half a dozen scholars but wilfully omitted two more scholars viz Dastur (Dr) M. N. Dhalla and Ervad Phiroze Masani.

After these Vansda navjotes, the converted navjotees filed a suit against the BPP trustees (i.e. Anjuman) to get benefits like other Parsis and put the late Dr M. N. Dhalla who was also a reformist, in the witness box. After Dhalla’s evidence, the so-called converts withdrew the case.

Kanga advises the Parsis to read the book Judgments published by Parsiana. Being formerly the commissioner of the Bombay Municipal Corporation, he should know that law is a two-sided blade.

Kanga has found from some reports that by performing the navjote, a juddin can become a Parsi and he himself quotes that a Bareshnoom is necessary. Uptil now, of those converts who have been made Zoroastrians, has any one taken/given Bareshnoom?

Now coming to the well-known Parsi Panchayet case of Petit vs Jeejeebhoy, does Kanga know that this case was lost by the late Seth R. D. Tata because their lordships observed that Suzanne Tata cannot become a Parsi? In the same case hundreds of persons were brought to give evidence. The learned Justice Daver admitted that though the religion enjoins conversion, the community has never converted a juddin to safeguard the community.

The late Phiroze Masani in his book Zoroastrianism Ancient and Modern dedicated to the late Sir Dinshaw D. Daver Kt writes:

"To the late Hon’ble Justice Sir Dinshaw Dhunjibhoy Daver Kt

"A true Parsi hero who has for good routed the efforts of the advocates of juddin – marriage and conversion.

"Who has saved the Parsi community from racial degeneration and extinction, who has by his learned decision from the Bench in the year 1908, given effect to the wishes of thousands of Parsi donors that use of the charity funds, fire temples, dakhmas and other religious institutions endowed by them should be allowed to Parsis only.

"This book is dedicated as a token of respect by his admirer.

"Peace be with him!

Phiroze S. Masani, Vakil High Court, Late Fellow Elphinstone College and Mulla Feroze Avesta and Pahlavi Madressa”

Kanga has tried to win over the community by quoting some great scholars and High Priests but in the end wants this subject to be examined purely from the social aspect. In India which is a secular state how can you be selective? The upper class Hindus, pure Christians, either Roman Catholics or Protestants, devout Muslims, Khojas or Bohras, will they change their faith? No, only those who want a share in Parsi prosperity will seek mass conversions.

Kanga claims to be unbiased, but supports mixed marriages and is also an advocate of the Association for Revival of Zoroastrianism asking the youths and the community at large to help create new consecrated agiaries for the converts. Zarathushtra’s advice is very necessary for Kanga: to hear properly and select the righteous path.

No human being of the present age has got the power to amend the holy scriptures which are known as – Sanatan Satya.

Dastur NADIRSHAH P. UNVALLA

Bangalore