“The enemy within”

"The enemy within” (Editorial viewpoint, Parsiana, February 7, 2010) was as usual well balanced, neutral, although you are accused of harboring an anti-orthodox slant. What is lacking is Parisana’s views/analysis on such a touchy and important issue.

For me what is happening in the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) is a war of the orthodox for the loaves and fishes of office. Palav-daar bawas elected all orthodox trustees in return for getting dabbas, dinners, retro-dances and gymkhana treats. Lakhs, if not crores, of rupees were spent to feed these hungry, starving bawas. This was not done out of concern or pity for bawas who behaved as if they had never seen food in their lives. It was an investment. No one is so foolish as to invest money and then write it off. Investments are made to double and treble the principal/capital amount.

There is enormous scope in building swimming pools, garages and multistoried towers for the so-called poor of the community. Politicians have made realty their main business and politics a side business. But these plans have suddenly gone awry. Noshir Dadrawala, the Parsi James Bond and Lone Ranger rolled into one, has become a thorn in the flesh of the BPP, and needs to be eliminated. Of course, by not attending meetings Dadrawala has given the cabal a free run as there was no one to oppose them. After the Charity Commissioner it will be High Court and then Supreme Court as the stakes are too high. In the meanwhile some more skeletons may tumble out. Some more opposition may crop up from other quarters.

Bawas need not panic. There will be more BPP reviews at the Dadar Gymkhana and even in various baugs, with palav-daar, chhatopani (liquor) and what have you, for sympathy votes, and moral support, which the bawas will wholeheartedly extend by signing on blank papers with their Parker, Sheaffers, Mont Blanc and Waterman pens. The Free Press Journal, BPP Review and Jam-e-Jamshed Weekly will be at hand to extend all the help to stroke the fires.

The next six years will be full of frills and thrills for the palav-daar bawas. At the end of it the winner will take it all and the loser will look small as it happened after the last two elections.

BEHRAM AGA

behram_r_aga@yahoo.co.in