WAPIZ: time to party

In a press release, the first one ever to be forwarded to Parsiana by the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ), it has elaborated on the need for its formation. It was born two years ago in response to the "tyranny of the minority” of so-called leaders who have "infiltrated into our most exalted religious and social institutions. They became trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), got themselves elected as trustees of the Athornan Mandal, became trustees of our fire temples and atash behrams, got elected as directors of the community bank and bought over the once respected Parsi Press, such that the Parsi Press today is a commodity which can be bought and sold to the highest bidder…

"This small group of amoral leaders does not care for the ordinary Parsi who has been consistently marginalized in the community and … rendered powerless and voiceless… They want to destroy the religious practices and traditions that the Parsis have so faithfully upheld since our arrival in India and which has given the community an indelible mark of excellence, tolerance, integrity and honesty,” the press release expresses WAPIZ’s fears.

Listing its achievements during the past two years, WAPIZ claims that it has successfully stopped the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India from joining a cosmopolitan world body of Zoroastrians which would have had Iranian Muslims, Russians, Brazilians and the Tajik converts and others from Central Asia. It claims to have stopped the Foundation for Development of Udvada from "turning our precious Iranshah into a tourist attraction” and promises to make every effort to stop builders from exploiting fire temple lands for their personal benefit.

Top: Ervad Kaikobad Randeria being felicitated. Above: WAPIZ dignitaries on the dais

"It is our firm conviction that all this turmoil in the community is caused because the BPP leadership is very weak,” the press release states. Yazdi Desai, founder trustee, speaking at the function at Bombay’s Turf Club grounds on May 26, 2007 where over 2,500 persons had gathered to celebrate the second anniversary of WAPIZ, singled out "two trustees Dinshaw Tamboly and Maneck Engineer who want to give away the bunglis in Doongerwadi for cremation. This is an absolute breach of trust! As trustees, they are mandated to act as per the will of the settlors. Who are they to decide what they want?... These are spineless trustees who instead of trying to strengthen dakhme­nashini are doing everything to weaken it,” as reported in the WAPIZ Page in the Afternoon Despatch and Courier (ADC) dated June 14, 2007.

Reacting strongly to this, Tamboly, in a rejoinder to the Press wrote: "WAPIZ and their ilk have time and again proved that when it comes to twisting words and distorting fact there is no one in their league… Yazdi Desai has tried to convey that I am an advocate of cremation which is absolutely fallacious… I have always maintained (that) whilst I am personally not in favor of establishing any form of alternate method of disposal on the Doongerwadi estate, I hold the view that there is nothing wrong in allowing the four-day obsequies at Doongerwadi for those opting for alternate modes of disposal, especially as the system of dakhmenashini has weakened and is not functioning as it should.”

At the function guest speaker gynecologist Dr Anahita Pandole spoke on tackling infertility among Parsis. She revealed that under the entirely free BPP fertility project over 150 Zoroastrian couples had sought professional help from her during the past two years and was delighted to inform that 58 ladies have conceived and 34 babies have already been born. She also spoke on the need to protect the environment, especially trees. Currently she is involved in litigation with the BPP over the double decker hoarding that has come up on the Doongerwadi grounds.

Founder trustee and legal eagle Homi Ranina referred to the WAPIZ court case challenging the petition filed by the BPP to amend the election scheme. "The new election scheme purports to introduce adult franchise but in fact does not do so!” he said, adding that the "principle of one-man-one-vote, which is essentially ingrained in the concept of Universal Adult Franchise is conspicuous by its absence” in the scheme proposed by the BPP. Since four BPP trustees had resigned in June 2006 and vacated their office at that time, they had "no right to propose a scheme of election which was radically different from the current scheme” which has existed for over a 100 years.

Ranina also referred to "recent comments and observations in the editorial columns of Parsiana where it is suggested that trustees of atash behrams and agiaries should open their doors to one and all” which "go against the clear mandate in the trust deeds of these institutions that these places of worship are wholly and exclusively for the benefit of Parsi/Irani Zoroastrians.” (Parsiana decries the racial discrimination that underlies the bar on non-Parsi Zoroastrians entering our fire temples. But the journal realizes that the trustees of atash behrams and agiaries have to follow the terms and conditions specified in the trust deed. Should they wish to liberalize their approach they can do so by following due legal process — Editors)

The ADC of May 29, 2007 reported that Khojeste Mistree, the moving spirit behind the association, lauded the role of its chairman Areez Khambatta, founder of Rasna International, who has greatly contributed toward WAPIZ, asserting that "the association exists because of his efforts.” Khambatta responded: "We have to follow what our forefathers did. Our religion gives us a set of laws and provides us with a clear sense of living. It ensures survival and the religion that has kept the community attached. Due to some anti elements our charity is slowly dying. Only with your support we can fight them back. WAPIZ zindabad (long live WAPIZ)!”

On the occasion, nine priests were felicitated for their yeoman service and presented with a plaque and a handsome purse of one lakh rupees each, the seniormost of whom was Dastur Nadir­shah P. Unvalla of Bangalore. Also felicitated was founder Dr Mehroo Bengalee on her appointment as member of the National Commission for Minorities, representing the Parsi community. It was then time to party and the function concluded with a sumptuous repast.