BPP elections

With over 30 contestants in the fray for the seven trusteeship seats in the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) one would imagine that the community would have a difficult task in deciding whom to vote for. But in actual fact it is not so.

Fortunately, we now have just two camps, the reformists riding on the Adult Franchise for Progress (AFP) platform with the total support of the community media and the traditionalists represented by the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ) and their supporters like the clergy and other like-minded groups. Of course, there are those who profess to be independent, most of them well meaning, some standing for a reason, others with large coffers and many "also-rans.”

This election is going to decide the fate of the Parsi/Irani community. The reformists believe that we stand on the "threshold of a great emancipation” to free us from the restraints imposed upon us for centuries, while the traditionalists believe in maintaining the status quo because that is what our scriptures stipulate.

The choice is simple: if you want reforms like conversion and cremation then bring in the reformists but if you want our religion to continue in its pristine condition as hitherto, vote in the traditionalists. Those who want to bring in a mix of both must realize that in the BPP boardroom all decisions are by majority votes except for housing where all seven trustees have to be unanimous.

This election is going to be a watershed in the history of our community. Let us make an informed choice. Let us tread cautiously, choose carefully and cast our votes wisely.

Cmdr M. BHADA (Retd)

mrbhada@hotmail.com

I am appalled and dismayed by the sheer lack of decorum and dignity being displayed by some members of the community who are seeking to portray themselves as community elders and wish to lead the community as future trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP).

The vile and defamatory e-mails that are floating around and equally crass newspaper articles in some sections of the Parsi Press are shocking. Are we witnessing the beginning of the degeneration of our community as an upright and outstanding one that was built on the pillars of the highest moral values? Where are the dignity, humility and wisdom displayed by our forefathers in India? Are these people completely unaware of the ridicule that they bring on the entire community? They have embroiled the whole community in this vindictive public display, one that is being observed and noted with a keen interest by other communities.

For those of us who live in New Zealand, 2008 is our parliamentary election year. In my capacity as president of The Zarathus­trian Association of New Zealand, the managing committee and I thought it was the right time to make a concentrated effort to educate both our major political parties, the Labor Party and the National Party, about who the Parsis are and why we play an important part in the multicultural fabric of New Zealand.

In August this year our small Zoroastrian community in Auckland invited some key ministers and members of parliament of both parties to address The Zarathus­trian Association of New Zealand. We were delighted that the ministers who attended our meetings made a conscious effort to come well prepared, having read enough about us to familiarize themselves with who we are as a community and what we stand for.

I can only hope and pray that better sense prevails with our community mem­bers in India so that future generations will remember them with similar reverence and respect.

RASHNA DORAB TATA

President

The Zarathustrian Association of New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand

tatas@xtra.co.nz