To get elected

So many, elections! First, there was one to elect seven trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP). Then there was another election to replace a deceased trustee, followed by national elections to choose those who would govern the country.

There was a notable link in these seemingly unconnected matters. Whether it was the Parsi seeking election for an honorary position or a seasoned politician seeking reelection, the strategy was inexplicably the same!

The political groups had one common agenda — spending money for positive results in favor of the individual. The political group and/or its ideology hardly mattered. What was all important was to get elected because the candidate wanted to serve the people.

In the case of the BPP, some aspirants spent lavishly on advertisements in the Press, brochures, flyers and, of course, on feeding the hungry Zoroastrian population. The candidates forgot all that their parents had perhaps taught them and decided to let caution go to the winds. For the first time, a seat on the board of the BPP became a religious matter and all norms of administration were forgotten.

The Parsi population displayed the same herd mentality as the Indian populace in ordinary times. And what are they saddled with? There is a hung group of trustees, most of whom have no real agenda.

But this time Indians, perhaps the youth, have brought about a change on the country’s political canvas and want to paint a different, more realistic picture of what the country with the second largest population expects by way of governance. We should take a leaf from this new book and come to terms with the fact that this is the 21st century and things have changed. The only thing that actually remains constant is change. The present trustees will continue to bicker at the cost of the community, spending lakhs of rupees which could be better utilized for Zoroastrians, and behaving like dhobis (washermen) in the Press. There are always varying views and the BPP and its present governing "team” should accept that and follow the path of non interference. Forcing the views of a few upon the many is futile.

EDUL MUNSHI

edmuns45@yahoo.in