“Tenets and traditions”

In the early years of my career I worked as technical assistant to the general manager of a manufacturing plant. The company was British owned and my boss was from Yorkshire. A lesson I learnt from him when writing critically was to preface unwelcome criticism with: "In our/my opinion …”

What follows may be unpalatable, but one has a right to one’s opinion.

Dastur Nadirshah Unvalla of the orthodox school of thought has been a frequent writer to Parsiana. I refer to his letter "Tenets and traditions” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, September 7, 2007). Unvalla is respected and revered by a section of the Parsi Zoroastrian community of Bangalore and reviled by others as one who has bigoted thoughts and a closed mind. Therefore, when Unvalla publishes his opinions, I, for one, have to concede and live with them.

However, care is needed when denouncing sinners. A latter day Prophet, when asked to pronounce judgment against a sinner who had been brought before the council of elders, agreed that the sinner deserved to be stoned. However, he said that the first stone should be cast by one "who is without sin.” Hearing this, the entire council of elders slunk away one by one without a single stone being cast at the prisoner.

RASHID MINOCHER

Bangalore

Dastur Nadirshah Unvalla from Bangalore is constantly harping that dakh­me­­nashini is enshrined in our scriptures. Sheeroy Sunawala, also of Bangalore, had challenged Unvalla to cite the particular reference in the Avesta where dakhmenashini is recommended ("Just a charade,” Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, March 21, 2007). Instead of taking up the gauntlet, Unvalla has put forward the excuse that our holy scriptures were destroyed by the Romans and the Arabs (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, September 7, 2007). This is no evidence. One can only conclude that there is no scriptural reference in the Avesta about the disposal of the dead by dakh-menashini and that Unvalla is merely bluffing the community to suit his whims and fancies.

In its issue of August 21, 2007 Parsi­ana had given an opportunity to some trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), past and present, and some high priests to air their views on current topics like universal adult franchise, qualities required of a prospective BPP trustee and about the continuation or otherwise of the archaic system for the disposal of the dead. It was distressing to note that the fundamentalists still want to perpetuate a system which is now defunct. The only sane voice has come from two writers who have advocated pragmatism and moving with the times, which I consider the prime virtues required of BPP trustees. They must be realistic regarding the changing circumstances and boldly undertake much needed reforms when current practices are found impractical and unviable.

While universal adult franchise is practiced the world over, the die-hards thought that it was a blunder and that under that system only third-rate and unfit candidates would be elected as BPP trustees. Is our community so ignorant that they cannot distinguish between chalk and cheese?

Dr P. D. SUNAVALA