“The sounds of silence…”

Jamsheed Kanga has put across some very valid points on conversion ("The sounds of silence,” Parsiana, August 7, 2006) and wonders why the high priests and other luminary Parsis are not responding.

If I may be permitted to hazard some guesswork, I would put down the reasons as follows:

Perhaps most of our high priests are practicing dasturs with panthaks of behdin clients, who in the opinion of the priests are mostly conservative and orthodox. So, why open their mouth and invite the displeasure of the clients which might affect their income?

Why get into a controversy when life is going on smoothly in any case? Can anyone touch them?

Perhaps they sincerely think that a great calamity will befall the community, even if a selective conversion of children of mixed marriages is undertaken.

As to why eminent persons like Soli Sorabjee, Fali Nariman and Tehmtan Andhyarujina are keeping quiet, well, ‘what will they get out of it?’ — would be my hazardous guess.

While on the subject, I am taking the liberty to quote Dastur (Dr) M. N. Dhalla from his autobiography, written more than 60 years ago:

"Through years of burning controversy, this problem of jooddin marriages has on the whole become more confusing and difficult to solve. We have seen at the commencement (of the chapter) that this question has not been tackled with the purpose of spreading good faith or of increasing the dwindling population, hence the value of this has been reduced. Our religion, history and common sense tell us to spread the light of Zoroastrian faith among the unfortunate people, yet just for the sake of giving our sanction to jooddin marriages, welcoming their children into the faith and above all initiating into the faith children born out of wedlock (illegitimate) practically the entire community has opposed the issue. As a result, the innocent children born of mixed marriages have become the victims and navjotes which were once performed publicly or privately have now been opposed and steps taken to apply sanctions against priests who perform such navjotes.”

He further writes:

"No one can foretell the effect on the future generations the resolutions that will seal the gateways of the commu­nity’s progress. At the moment, until the social atmosphere of the community undergoes a change, it is understandable. But due to the high death-rate, consequent upon living in a congested center like Bombay, the high cost of living, the restriction in the number of marriages because of the dowry system, the fall in birth-rate due to family planning and other reasons, the strength of (the) community shows a downward trend.

"When we or the generations to come become aware of the danger of our decreasing numbers, then the fresh answers will be found to suit the changing circumstances.

"It is just possible that after decades the community may create an enlightened and educated priest-class and a popular understanding that to spread the good faith and to increase our strength is not only commensurate with the precepts of our religion but also in the interest of our social well-being.”

Well said, but who is listening even after more than six decades? One wonders whether the above prophecy of Dhalla will ever come true and if so, when?

Lastly, Kanga is suggesting that the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustees should officially ask the high priests for an opinion on this subject. I have a different suggestion. I think the BPP trustees should appoint a panel of religious scholars, selected from all over the world, who are not practicing priests for a good unbiased opinion, purely based on our religious scriptures. The views of the practicing priests are most likely to be inclined towards the practices which they are following! Is it not natural?

KERSEE KABRAJI

Poona