“We don’t sell our principles”

“Some people allege WAPIZ (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis) only fights…What are we fighting about?… WAPIZ is the only organization standing up to other organizations. WAPIZ jhagro karéch (is fighting) to bring awareness…If we do not protect who will?” enquired Khojeste Mistree, WAPIZ founder and one of its four-member-team contesting the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trusteeship elections, at the interactive meeting convened at Godrej Baug on September 6, 2008. Although the meeting was scheduled from 6.30 to 7.30 p.m., it commenced after 7 p.m. and ended at 9.10 p.m. for only a few faithfuls were present at the starting time and candidate Bomi Kavina was delayed in a traffic jam.

“We are coming in with an agenda — nothing hidden,” announced Mistree, adding, “Others have impressive bio datas but would they be right material for trusteeship? We need people with commitment to the community…What makes WAPIZ different from others? WAPIZ has a track record… of preserving religious institutions, dakhmas, agiaries and identity of the community…We are not here to decry the Punchayet trustees (but to offer) a change of vision, a change of direction...not thook paalish (superficial touch-up)… We see WAPIZ as the Janata Party — People’s Party — catering to the community as a whole. It is very easy to fudge issues. We talk straight from the heart; factual...We don’t sell our principles.”

Castigating the trustees for proceeding with allotment of flats on the eve of elections, after the “media ooskeroed (instigated) the people,” and the matter was heard at the charity commissioner’s, Mistree noted that they have written to the BPP but the trustees have not even had the courtesy to send a reply.

“You need to be very strong to serve this community,” commented compere Binaifer Sahukar, commending Mistree’s investment of time and resources for three decades, urging the audience to “clap for this dynamite.”