“Hurting the feelings”

I was extremely shocked and dismayed to read the letter "Hurting the feelings” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, December 7, 2006). What gives Dr P. D. Sunavala the right to hurt the religious feelings and sentiments of fellow Zoroastrians by stating that our religious belief "that the souls of the departed cannot cross the Chinvat Pool without dakhme­nashini” is "humbug” and "should be relegated to the dustbin?”

While I concede that the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, Sunavala should know that his freedom ends where ours begins. Perhaps he is under a misconception that being a doctor he considers himself "learned,” but he certainly has no finesse. I wish there was a way of issuing a "fatwa” against him. I call upon our Vada Dasturjis to react suitably to his blasphemy.

Regarding his threat to take the matter to the court, maybe that will be a blessing in disguise. I have great faith in the Indian judiciary and am confident that judges will consign this case to the dustbin of history, Dhun Baria’s photographic evidence notwithstanding.

Com (Retd) MEDIOMA BHADA