BPP election thoughts

The historic move to change the established process of electing the seven trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) from the responsibility of donor members alongside representatives of the Anjuman Register to the first-ever adult franchise polling has set alarm bells ringing in many an illumined bawa mind.

Quite a few like-minded thinkers will agree that it is a one-way street to a dead end beyond which lies irretrievable damage to the community vehicle. The new system is an open invitation for rampaging hopefuls to further subvert the philosophy and environs of this once haloed apex body. Is it for beneficiaries to decide who will manage their registered trust? Should it not be the prerogative of contributors to these charities to choose who they think are best suited for the job?

The new shift is unwisely thrusting the ballot process of our premier Parsi institution into a political style drive. Already we are witnessing real time politicking and outmaneuvering, manipulation of splintered, sectionalized, community members. As in the rest of the world, it is money that makes the BPP go round. Known boneless wonders with expertise in political brokering have jumped into the fray for a stake in the rich BPP pie. Colony corners are ricocheting with stories about a sitting trustee doling charity on weekends to poor Parsi brethren above 18 with voting cards so that they may cast their votes in his favor.

Accepting that we have to become the change we want to see, and conceding the proverbial exception to the rule, it is not so much the candidates as the approach road to the new arrangement which is worrisome. The Adult Franchise for Progress team is a laudable combination as are a few other individuals, but why have prominent personalities like them refrained from standing for BPP elections till date? How far will adult franchise serve the community purpose or change the image of BPP governance?

Will Parsis prove that in adversity they are indeed an intelligently progressive and forward looking kom (community)? Or with an expected result of a coalition of "acrimonious acronyms” are we jumping from the frying pan into the fire? Will we simply squander and turn on its head the election of Parsis, by Parsis, for trustees, as countrymen at large have done to their democratic rights?

MICKIE SORABJEE

nashmick@hotmail.com

Until this year, Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) elections used to be sedate affairs that caused hardly a ripple in the community — if they registered at all on the mind of the average Parsi. Now suddenly they have blossomed into a full blown political campaign; complete with two opposing parties and a slew of independents — not to mention paraphernalia like posters, speeches and negative advertisements. We seem to have been inspired by the current election frenzy in the US.

This begs the question: why does everyone want to be a BPP trustee this year; and why are the candidates pulling out all the stops to achieve their ambition? Have they discovered some latent power and promise in trusteeship that was not apparent all these years? Why are they prepared to lavish considerable sums of money on what is essentially a non-profit position?

Another interesting aspect of this election is that is being contested by two camps with radically opposing viewpoints; the liberals vs the conservatives. Their diverging views center mainly on matters of faith — and their opposing interpretations of it. That is why their relevance to this election eludes me.

As far as I am aware, the BPP is not a religious body. Its mandate is to administer to the secular needs of Parsis such as housing and education. Hence, the criteria for judging the suitability and eligibility of candidates should be their administrative experience and enterprise, their financial acumen to enhance and utilize the trust funds optimally, and their integrity and incorruptibility. How are their views on conversion, dakhme­nashini, the priesthood et al relevant to the issue? Will a WAPIZ (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthosh­tis) candidate be able to offer more hope than an AFP (Adult Franchise for Progress) one to the hundreds of young Parsis putting off their marriage plans because the BPP is unable or unwilling to provide them affordable housing? Will the dozens of poor Parsis eking out a pathetic existence find salvation because their trustee promises them a smooth passage into the next world through dakhmenashini?

I’m sure this letter portrays me in the light of a singularly clueless Parsi, to which I happily admit. That is why I am craving enlightenment.

FIROZE HIRJIKAKA

leonardo8_99@yahoo.com

I congratulate Berjis Desai and members of the Alert Zoroastrians Association for forming the Adult Franchise for Progress (AFP).

The World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ) has in its sponsored page in the Free Press Journal of August 7, 2008 referred to Desai, Jam-e-Jamshed editor Rusi Dhondy and Parsiana editor Jehangir Patel as "Altu Faltu Parsis.” We will have to make WAPIZ eat their words. As a very small man in the community supporting the movement to bring in honest people as trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) I was very happy that these three editors have been defined as "altu faltu (useless)” since it shows up the frustration in the WAPIZ camp.

Even though I am optimistic about a total victory for AFP, I feel this is just a beginning, and much more is required to achieve our goal. Candidates will have to remain within the fold. Having money and muscle power, the opposition is not likely to give up easily but will try to create confusion and rifts among candidates. For them it is not just a BPP election but their dream of capturing seats to secure their own agenda. Obviously, the AFP is their number one enemy.

All along WAPIZ has tried to stall the move for universal adult franchise in BPP elections by filing cases in the court. It will be amusing to see their candidates begging for votes from the very people they were trying to prevent from voting. Would Khojeste Mistree and his partners in WAPIZ please let me know how they are going to approach the voters, and with what face? Do they really have hopes of winning? Mistree gives lectures on religion. Does he really believe in Gavashni when he calls others "altu faltu?”

I appeal to the community to vote in such a way that AFP candidates are elected as they are all dedicated members of our community.

HOMI DALAL

jaloodalal@rediffmail.com

The huge propaganda entitled: "AFP-7 unbeatable candidates” which appeared in the Jam-e-Jamshed Weekly of August 10, 2008 jointly sponsored by the Adult Franchise for Progress (AFP) and Jamé is a brazen attempt to foist and steamroller their selected candidates as future trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), as if no other better candidates are available in the community to act as BPP trustees.

Dr P D SUNAVALA