Inclusive or exclusive?

"Regrettably it has recently come to light that the WZO (World Zoroastrian Organisation) India membership application forms have been altered and are no longer in line with those of WZO UK,” noted a circular dated November 18, 2009 signed by WZO chairman Sammy Bhiwandiwalla addressed to the members in India. The communiqué added, "These altered qualifications of membership are not in consonance with the main objectives of WZO as an international body. We were never consulted regarding these changes nor are they acceptable under UK law. As a consequence all future communication from WZO UK will take place with you directly from our headquarters in London.”

When Parsiana sought to ascertain the position from Dadi Engineer he declared, "I am the president of WZO India and also on the board of WZO International. At the moment there are some differences of opinion. Once the whole thing is resolved…if it’s resolved, I’ll be able to make a statement.”

The differences simmering between the two boards had come to light at the executive council meeting of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India in Bombay on September 5, 2009 when Kersi Limathwalla was invited to cite his reasons for resigning from the WZO UK board. "I thought it was not right that they (WZO UK) were proposing to open their doors to anybody who professes Zoroastrianism,” Limathwalla had mentioned, referring to WZO president Darayus Motivala’s informal meeting in Bombay in January 2009 to sound out the India board on the contemplated change on the rationale that "the membership of WZO was not increasing as they would like it to…” By accepting Zoroastrian converts as members "without any checks and balances,” Limathwalla feared it would be "vertically dividing the global body.” He managed to convince the India board not to support this proposal and was happy that they refused to reconsider this decision even when Bhiwandiwalla flew down in June.

As per the membership form on the WZO website, the portals of WZO are open to a "person born into and confirmed into the Zoroastrian faith; non-Zoroastrian spouse married to a Zoroastrian; (or a) child of (an interfaith) marriage as described (earlier).”

The website further records: "On April 25, 1993 a special general meeting of the WZO was held under the able chairmanship of Ruby Contractor. WZO took the first historical step in passing two resolutions: to establish WZO as a charitable organization under UK law and the more profound and far-reaching change in our membership rules. For the first time a Zoroastrian organization had recognized that non-Zoroastrian spouses and their offspring were an integral part of our community, to be treated as equals. This was indeed a milestone. Since then most of the Zoroastrian associations in North America, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere have gone on to recognize the contribution made by non-Zoroastrian spouses in our religious, social and cultural life and the creation of a more balanced Zoroastrian society.”

Whilst describing itself as "an inclusive organization,” WZO professes its pride in being "an organization that is tolerant of different views, opens its doors to all Zoroastrians and welcomes their spouses and children. Non-Zoroastrian spouses can join as full members and children of interfaith marriages are welcome.” A subsequent clarification on the website mentions, "WZO believes that local communities must make their own decisions on these matters. However, it will assist a Zoroastrian who feels excluded by or isolated from their local community. WZO will, on request, try to assist with arranging Zoroastrian blessings ceremony at weddings and help with the navjote of a child where only one parent is a Zoroastrian.”

Besides Bhiwandiwalla and Motivala, the other office bearers on the international board are vice president Dr Jehan Bagli, honorary secretary Dinyar Modi, honorary treasurer Framroze Joshi, membership secretary Khurshid Kapadia, religious co-ordinator Shahin Bekhradnia, UK social secretary Armaity Engineer, grants co-ordinator Dr Godafreed Irani. At the annual general meeting on December 13, 2009 elections were due for the managing committee for the year 2009-10.

Besides Engineer, the others on the India board are vice president Nozer Meherji, joint honorary secretaries Bahadur Mistry and Rusi Bhumgara, and joint honorary treasurers Silloo Mahava and Marzi Vatcha. "For many years we permitted WZO India the freedom to manage many aspects of WZO UK activities based on mutual trust and the furtherance of WZO’s position as a community organization serving the interests of Zoroastrians internationally,” wrote Bhiwandiwalla.