Editorial Viewpoint
A loss of dignity
In 1932 the British academician, author and member of parliament S. F. Markhan wrote about Parsi charities creating a class of “professional beggars.” Seventy-five years later, his words still ring true. A visit to the Bombay Doongerwadi grounds managed by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet will amply bear this out. A final resting place for Zoroastrians has become a base for beggary.
From the time of fetching the corpse from the deceased’s residence to the final consignment to the towers, the salaried corpse bearers request, cajole and almost hound mourners for money.
As former senior superintendent at Doongerwadi Ervad Framroze Mirza correctly remarks, it’s “Maag, Maag and Company (Ask, Ask and Company)” at the dakhma grounds.
The maneuvers started with money being deposited in the thali containing flowers that is circulated by the Doongerwadi staff along with the rose water which is sprinkled on mourners’ hands. Mirza says the employees place Rs 50 notes to induce people to donate substantial amounts.
At the time of sezdo (paying of respects to the corpse) before the body is carried out of the bungli, the khandhias start with their cries of “mai aapo (madam give).” After carrying the body up the slope and placing the ravan (corpse) on the marble slab prior to consigning the body to the towers, the alms solicitation becomes more pronounced, almost belligerent: ‘aapo aapo’ the grieving family members are told. And perhaps fearful that their loved one’s body may be unceremoniously dumped in the towers instead of being placed on a pavi or under the redirected sun’s rays from the solar concentrators, the vulnerable family members cough up the money. Others do likewise, believing it is expected of them.
After reciting the kusti prayers outside the sagdi and while returning along the garden path to the bunglis, the non-Parsi gardening personnel stand at a side and respectfully salaam the departing mourners. This is an old practice and there is no pressure to give, only a polite indication to do so. But as one approaches the gate which bifurcates the towers from the bunglis, mourners are accosted by over half a dozen khandhias and nassessalars persistently badgering them for alms.
Contrast all these happenings with the functioning of the municipal crematorium at Chandanwadi. In all these years of visiting the place to pay one’s last respects never has any employee or anyone else approached mourners for a handout. If the family is asked for a tip it may be done discreetly but one is not aware of any such incident.
If junior grade municipal employees know how to conduct themselves at a funeral, why is it that Parsi Zoroastrian corpse bearers, who earn anywhere from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 a month, beg?
Those who favor dakhmenashini as a system for disposal proudly claim the decomposing bodies strewn all over the dakhma do not constitute a health hazard. No physical illness has been detected arising from exposure to the rotting corpses, they state.
But there are obvious psychological disorders. Why otherwise would able bodied, earning men take to begging? One answer is that they are permitted to do so. Given an opportunity many people who have been denied self-respect on account of their vocation and who society has cast aside as untouchables, would take their vengeance by disregarding acceptable social norms and begging for alms.
The basic salary of the pall bearers ranges from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 a month. In addition they earn Rs 2,000 as overtime each month and receive another Rs 3,000 as tips paid by the family of the deceased to the BPP official on duty and distributed equally to the khandhias and nassessalars. Further the corpse bearers’ rent and electricity is subsidized, accommodation is provided, school fees are taken care of and so on.
But as Mirza says, leave aside Rs 15,000, even Rs 50,000 would not be enough to compensate for the na
From the time of fetching the corpse from the deceased’s residence to the final consignment to the towers, the salaried corpse bearers request, cajole and almost hound mourners for money.
As former senior superintendent at Doongerwadi Ervad Framroze Mirza correctly remarks, it’s “Maag, Maag and Company (Ask, Ask and Company)” at the dakhma grounds.
The maneuvers started with money being deposited in the thali containing flowers that is circulated by the Doongerwadi staff along with the rose water which is sprinkled on mourners’ hands. Mirza says the employees place Rs 50 notes to induce people to donate substantial amounts.
At the time of sezdo (paying of respects to the corpse) before the body is carried out of the bungli, the khandhias start with their cries of “mai aapo (madam give).” After carrying the body up the slope and placing the ravan (corpse) on the marble slab prior to consigning the body to the towers, the alms solicitation becomes more pronounced, almost belligerent: ‘aapo aapo’ the grieving family members are told. And perhaps fearful that their loved one’s body may be unceremoniously dumped in the towers instead of being placed on a pavi or under the redirected sun’s rays from the solar concentrators, the vulnerable family members cough up the money. Others do likewise, believing it is expected of them.
After reciting the kusti prayers outside the sagdi and while returning along the garden path to the bunglis, the non-Parsi gardening personnel stand at a side and respectfully salaam the departing mourners. This is an old practice and there is no pressure to give, only a polite indication to do so. But as one approaches the gate which bifurcates the towers from the bunglis, mourners are accosted by over half a dozen khandhias and nassessalars persistently badgering them for alms.
Contrast all these happenings with the functioning of the municipal crematorium at Chandanwadi. In all these years of visiting the place to pay one’s last respects never has any employee or anyone else approached mourners for a handout. If the family is asked for a tip it may be done discreetly but one is not aware of any such incident.
If junior grade municipal employees know how to conduct themselves at a funeral, why is it that Parsi Zoroastrian corpse bearers, who earn anywhere from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 a month, beg?
Those who favor dakhmenashini as a system for disposal proudly claim the decomposing bodies strewn all over the dakhma do not constitute a health hazard. No physical illness has been detected arising from exposure to the rotting corpses, they state.
But there are obvious psychological disorders. Why otherwise would able bodied, earning men take to begging? One answer is that they are permitted to do so. Given an opportunity many people who have been denied self-respect on account of their vocation and who society has cast aside as untouchables, would take their vengeance by disregarding acceptable social norms and begging for alms.
The basic salary of the pall bearers ranges from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 a month. In addition they earn Rs 2,000 as overtime each month and receive another Rs 3,000 as tips paid by the family of the deceased to the BPP official on duty and distributed equally to the khandhias and nassessalars. Further the corpse bearers’ rent and electricity is subsidized, accommodation is provided, school fees are taken care of and so on.
But as Mirza says, leave aside Rs 15,000, even Rs 50,000 would not be enough to compensate for the na
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