Udvada Mahotsav deffered

Within days of the formal announcement in the Press on November 11, 2006 of the grand opening of the Zoroastrian Information Centre in Udvada by Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on November 24, a postponement became imperative. A letter dated November 15 from the collector of Valsad notified Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, chairman of the Foundation for Development of Udvada (FDU), that the election commission has announced the holding of the gram panchayat elections in the area which would include Udvada. It has stipulated that according to the election commission regulations no government function may be held during the period beginning November 15.

Accordingly the postponement was announced by Dastoor in the Jam-e-Jamshed Weekly on November 19. A new date will only be forthcoming when one is confirmed by the Government of Gujarat.

In the same issue of Jamé is the Gujarati letter from the Udvada High Priests, Dasturs (Dr) Peshotan Mirza and Khurshed Dastoor, together with seven other mobeds "in the service of Shreeji Paak Iranshah” repudiating the aspersions cast by The Parsee Voice (September-October 2006 issue) on the two dasturs and the Udvada Anjuman regarding the management and protection of the Iranshah. The Parsee Voice had registered fears regarding the safety of the Iranshah when Modi and various non-Parsi Zoroastrians were expected to descend on the little village.

Not mincing their words, the signatories note (excerpts from the free translation, courtesy Jamé): "Till the flame of religious sanctity continues to shine brightly, whatever mischief people like you play and create misunderstandings will not be accepted by the educated and enlightened Parsi community.

"The history of Udvada is replete with instances of eminent leaders of the caliber of Y. B. Chavan, Morarji Desai, Gandhi, Trivedi and other such eminent personalities having visited Udvada and paid homage and respects to Iranshah from outside and accepted his blessings. At that time Iranshah was not affected in any way…

"Once again we inform you publicly that the ‘nine’ athornan families of the Udvada Anjuman and our two High Priests have been entrusted with the responsibility to serve and look after the holy Iranshah. No other individuals, high priests or institutions have any right or authority to interfere in the affairs of Iranshah.

"The matter concerning FDU and their objects has been discussed over the last two years and we have already given our detailed views and clarifications in public.

"FDU has been established for the development of Udvada by the government. In no way is FDU connected with the management of Udvada Anjuman and Shreeji Atash Behram, and we do not envisage any problems from them and the Udvada Samast Anjuman will ensure this, which please note.”

Arnavaz S. Mama