A way out for Parsis

Each year the Vadodara Parsi Panchayet invites a prominent Parsi to come and talk on matters pertaining to our community. This year the chief guest during the salgirah of our agiary and the award function thereafter was Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada.

Controversial topics are not entertained, though in my personal view Parsis are mature enough to hear all sides on any issue, whether they accept it or not. Sadly, this never happens and matters keep accumulating under the carpet. It was, therefore, refreshing that Dastoor spoke at length on the history of Zoroastrians in a simple, interesting and enlightening manner.

Tales from mythology sometimes show us a way out of prevailing dilemmas. In his discourse on Persia, the learned high priest mentioned that the Zoroastrian kings were buried and placed in massive tombs. I would like to ask our learned scholars and protectors of the Zoroastrian faith why, in the light of this fact, are they raising a hue and cry over having a legitimate burial ground, perhaps on the available Doongerwadi premises? If an alternative method of crossing the Chinwat Pul was acceptable for the Zoroastrian kings of old, why this sordid squabble over dakhmenashini now? Hiding behind trust deeds is a lame excuse indeed; no deed is worth its salt if it is not progressive and suitable for the times we live in!

RODA D. HAKIM

Baroda