“Dealing with dissent”

"Dealing with dissent” by former Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee Eruch Desai (Parsiana, September 7, 2009) is like reading a WAPIZ (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis) propaganda pamphlet for the next election, which is very likely on the cards. Desai may not be a member of WAPIZ, but his sympathies evidently lie with that fascist, fanatic, bigoted organization.

He talks about his days as a BPP trustee when differences were overcome once issues were sorted out. But the present issues are not being sorted out, nor will they be. This is a different scenario as people have spent lakhs of rupees on shawls, parikas, palav-dar, dinners at gymkhanas with Scotch, retro dancing and what have you, which Desai was fortunate not to have to do. Their investment has to bring returns. No one is so foolish as to throw away so much money just for the sake of becoming a trustee.

Desai wishes that newspapers would open their columns also to those who may have opposing views. I agree. He can’t be that naïve as to believe that newspapers do not have their own axe to grind, agenda, partisanship. Many are mouth organs for some party or view and they can also declare a fatwa and place an embargo/ban on the letters of certain persons. The question of bringing the community closer is out of the question as divide and rule has always benefited the rulers.

Desai is also full of praise for the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital. Has he been a patient there lately?

Desai then links reforms with majority and minority and expects us to believe that reforms are meant to improve things, situations and conditions overnight. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Reforms are need based and have nothing to do with fads, minority or majority. It is absurd to argue that reforms can be undertaken only by a majority or with their tacit consent or approval.

Arguing in the Bombay High Court, the late Homi Seervai once said that the Shudras (an untouchable caste) had to tie a broom behind their backs and sweep the ground on which they walked so that Brahmins were not polluted. A Shudra’s shadow could not be allowed to come in the way of a Brahmin as that would make the latter impure. This was a centuries old practice, where humans were treated worse than animals. Though Shudras were a minuscule minority in the Hindu community, parliament passed laws for reforms so that they would no longer be ill-treated. Quotas and reservations were introduced for their upliftment, laws which are binding on all communities.

Only change is constant. Reforms will take place and have taken place even in the bawa community. The solar reflectors installed at Doongerwadi are a lopsided and half-baked reform measure whereby bodies lie rotting, are eaten by rats and nibbled at by crows and kites and then taken out to be buried.

Regarding BPP trusteeship, J. R. D. Tata was so right when he commented, "How could one be entangled with such a body?” He spoke from his heart and with personal experience. Nani Palkhi-vala wanted to have his cake and eat it too, but that was not to be. Even Sir Pherozeshaw Mehta was defeated at the BPP elections. Those who turned down Desai’s suggestion to stand for BPP elections are not fools. They are aware that many bawas belong to the lunatic fringe and should be kept at arm’s length, that the community has been hijacked by bigots, diehard fascists and fanatics who are a fraud on the religion.

Desai is totally wrong in saying that adult franchise is a monumental blunder. He is also off the mark when he makes bizarre suggestions like no one should be allowed to contest against certain people. Do we need a Brahmin class amongst the bawas?

Desai laments that persons outside the trust will initiate proceedings against the trustees. What else does he expect? Gone are the days when trustees of the BPP were high and mighty and could do as they pleased, treating the common bawa as per their whims and fancies. Now that reforms, with or without the majority or minority, have come, even an individual bawa can challenge a BPP trustee and make him answerable and accountable, something undreamt of when Desai was an incumbent.

The trustees of today will have to change their mindset and discharge their duties efficiently, diligently, honestly and in the larger interest of the community. This does not include selling flats meant for the poor to the rich for pugree, deposit or outright sale.

So whether you play the piano, violin or blow your own trumpet, things are going to change sooner than later and for the better. BEHRAM AGA

behram_r_aga@yahoo.co.in