Temples selling water

Self appointed torchbearers of our religion justify their obstructionist approach to development/change of user of properties of various trusts on the ground that the original trust deed does not permit such a change/development. In this connection, it would be relevant to ascertain if trust deeds of certain fire temples permit commercial sale of well water to water tankers on round-the-clock basis. Water is a source of nature and in our religion elements of nature are worshipped. Wells in fire temples were provided for use of water in performance of religious rituals and definitely not for sale to tankers.

If trustees of such defaulting fire temples cannot make two ends meet, they should consider shifting the holy fires to places like Vile Parle, Borivli, etc which will not only help in tiding over financial problems but more importantly meet the spiritual needs of fellow Zoroastrians living in far off suburbs. Let us not be ridiculed by sister communities for having hand-to-mouth places of worship, exploiting a free gift of nature for commercial gain.

PHIROZ DUBASH