Editorial Viewpoint
Fighting the good fight
The elevation of Justice Sarosh Kapadia to the highest judicial office in India exemplifies the country’s secular democracy. A man who rose from a lower middle class background with no godfathers, political connections or caste reservations (none of which he sought or seeks), the new Chief Justice of India should serve as an inspiration for all minorities, the disadvantaged and the friendless. No doubt being born into a community that is universally well regarded helped. But it is Kapadia’s own grit, determination and tenacity that got him to where he is in a country that despite all its drawbacks is a land of opportunity.
And it is not that Kapadia’s appointment is a chance occurrence. Nine years ago Justice Sam Bharucha also occupied the coveted position. And during his tenure on the Supreme Court a second Zoroastrian, Justice Sam Variava too served on the premier court. Three years ago, on March 31, 2007 Fali Major was appointed Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force. And all this in the first decade of the 21st century.
These achievements have not been replicated by Parsis elsewhere in the world. Except for Zubin Mehta one is hard put to think of any Zoroastrian overseas who has risen to the pinnacle of his/her respective profession. True, the numbers outside India are small. In Iran, which would have the largest or second largest Zoroastrian population in the world, the community has not been able to achieve its potential. The young choose to migrate, given an opportunity, and the country’s laws discriminate against non-Muslims. Only in the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi did Zoroastrians occupy some of the highest offices in the land and also amassed fortunes. Dr Farhang Mehr was deputy prime minister of Iran and Arbab Rustom Guiv and the Zartoshty brothers, Faridoon and Mehraban through their entrepreneurial skills earned millions which they subsequently gave in charities, funding many of the Zoroastrian centers in the West, especially North America.
In Pakistan despite political and religious uncertainty Parsis have earned distinction. Justices Dorab Patel and Rustom Sidhwa served on the country’s Supreme Court while Jamsheed Marker held top diplomatic posts. The Avari, Cowasjee and Bhandara families also toted up fortunes. But today many Pakistani Parsis believe migrating is a safer option.
In Hong Kong, the Parsis thrived. Their anjuman is one of the richest in the world and helps Zoroastrians and others globally. Novelists Rohinton Mistry and Bapsi Sidhwa’s books have sold internationally and their writing is highly regarded. In London, this April, chef Cyrus Todiwala was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire).
People often say the golden age of the Parsis was during the British raj. The maximum number of fire temples was built in the mid-1800s. The opium trade made many Parsis millionaires. Shipbuilding, the demand for which was spurred by both trade and wars, made the Wadia family exceedingly wealthy. They in turn built housing colonies for the community. The foundation for an industrial India was laid by Jamsetji Tata. Amongst the many trusts established were the Sir Dorab Tata and Sir Ratan Tata trusts. Parsi philanthropy flourished. Sir Jamsetji Jejeebhoy was the prince of charity. Parsi social reformers sought and achieved change in community and cosmopolitan attitudes and laws. Female education was pursued vigorously.
But was the British era the only propitious time? Has not the community achieved greater strides since independence? Has not Parsi enterprise flourished in every field? Have not the Tatas become an international brand with 60 percent of their revenues from overseas ventures? Do not 350 million Indian consumers use a Godrej product daily? Weren’t all the armed forces at some time or the other headed by Parsis, aside from the country’s first Field Marshal being a Zoroastrian? Did not the leading lawyers, doctors, accountants, engineers belong to the community? Did not Dr Homi Bhabha head the country’s nuclear power program? Was not Minoo Masani the leader of the opposition in Parliament? Did not Parsi cricketers captain the Indian teams? Were not Parsis appointed solicitor and attorney generals of India?
Even as our numbers continue to decline, our presence is felt. And yet we treat our fellow Indians, who have created an environment where we can blossom, as untouchables. We disparage Parsis who marry outside the faith. We shun their children. We bar entry to our houses of worship to non-Parsis while we think little of entering a Hindu temple or mosque or church.
We solemnly affirm we are secular and cosmopolitan. At a public meet a speaker said we join in the celebrations of all faiths but at the same time we must continue to bar non-Parsis inclusion in community organizations. Parsis assert they are not supremacists or racists. Yet their deeds smack of segregation and discrimination.
While the rest of India moves toward dismantling the caste system, we appear bent on strengthening barriers. The Association for the Revival of Zoroastrianism (AZA) struggles to raise Rs 1,50,00,000 (around US $ 3,26,000) for a community center open to all in Poona. Yet larger sums are spent annually propagating supremacism in the secular media.
Non-Parsis often inquire with concern as to why the community is adopting a fundamentalist line. It is a troubling question . The honest reply would be that while there are those who are steeped in bigotry and fanaticism, there are others who bravely fight for what is right. The lonely battle fought by two petitioners for defending the rights of two priests branded as “renegades” by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet has received support from five preeminent Zoroastrians.
It is their example we have to cite to those who bemoan our current state of affairs. The majority of the community may be ignorant or indifferent. But there are still those who will do right by the community and the country.
And it is not that Kapadia’s appointment is a chance occurrence. Nine years ago Justice Sam Bharucha also occupied the coveted position. And during his tenure on the Supreme Court a second Zoroastrian, Justice Sam Variava too served on the premier court. Three years ago, on March 31, 2007 Fali Major was appointed Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force. And all this in the first decade of the 21st century.
These achievements have not been replicated by Parsis elsewhere in the world. Except for Zubin Mehta one is hard put to think of any Zoroastrian overseas who has risen to the pinnacle of his/her respective profession. True, the numbers outside India are small. In Iran, which would have the largest or second largest Zoroastrian population in the world, the community has not been able to achieve its potential. The young choose to migrate, given an opportunity, and the country’s laws discriminate against non-Muslims. Only in the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi did Zoroastrians occupy some of the highest offices in the land and also amassed fortunes. Dr Farhang Mehr was deputy prime minister of Iran and Arbab Rustom Guiv and the Zartoshty brothers, Faridoon and Mehraban through their entrepreneurial skills earned millions which they subsequently gave in charities, funding many of the Zoroastrian centers in the West, especially North America.
In Pakistan despite political and religious uncertainty Parsis have earned distinction. Justices Dorab Patel and Rustom Sidhwa served on the country’s Supreme Court while Jamsheed Marker held top diplomatic posts. The Avari, Cowasjee and Bhandara families also toted up fortunes. But today many Pakistani Parsis believe migrating is a safer option.
In Hong Kong, the Parsis thrived. Their anjuman is one of the richest in the world and helps Zoroastrians and others globally. Novelists Rohinton Mistry and Bapsi Sidhwa’s books have sold internationally and their writing is highly regarded. In London, this April, chef Cyrus Todiwala was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire).
People often say the golden age of the Parsis was during the British raj. The maximum number of fire temples was built in the mid-1800s. The opium trade made many Parsis millionaires. Shipbuilding, the demand for which was spurred by both trade and wars, made the Wadia family exceedingly wealthy. They in turn built housing colonies for the community. The foundation for an industrial India was laid by Jamsetji Tata. Amongst the many trusts established were the Sir Dorab Tata and Sir Ratan Tata trusts. Parsi philanthropy flourished. Sir Jamsetji Jejeebhoy was the prince of charity. Parsi social reformers sought and achieved change in community and cosmopolitan attitudes and laws. Female education was pursued vigorously.
But was the British era the only propitious time? Has not the community achieved greater strides since independence? Has not Parsi enterprise flourished in every field? Have not the Tatas become an international brand with 60 percent of their revenues from overseas ventures? Do not 350 million Indian consumers use a Godrej product daily? Weren’t all the armed forces at some time or the other headed by Parsis, aside from the country’s first Field Marshal being a Zoroastrian? Did not the leading lawyers, doctors, accountants, engineers belong to the community? Did not Dr Homi Bhabha head the country’s nuclear power program? Was not Minoo Masani the leader of the opposition in Parliament? Did not Parsi cricketers captain the Indian teams? Were not Parsis appointed solicitor and attorney generals of India?
Even as our numbers continue to decline, our presence is felt. And yet we treat our fellow Indians, who have created an environment where we can blossom, as untouchables. We disparage Parsis who marry outside the faith. We shun their children. We bar entry to our houses of worship to non-Parsis while we think little of entering a Hindu temple or mosque or church.
We solemnly affirm we are secular and cosmopolitan. At a public meet a speaker said we join in the celebrations of all faiths but at the same time we must continue to bar non-Parsis inclusion in community organizations. Parsis assert they are not supremacists or racists. Yet their deeds smack of segregation and discrimination.
While the rest of India moves toward dismantling the caste system, we appear bent on strengthening barriers. The Association for the Revival of Zoroastrianism (AZA) struggles to raise Rs 1,50,00,000 (around US $ 3,26,000) for a community center open to all in Poona. Yet larger sums are spent annually propagating supremacism in the secular media.
Non-Parsis often inquire with concern as to why the community is adopting a fundamentalist line. It is a troubling question . The honest reply would be that while there are those who are steeped in bigotry and fanaticism, there are others who bravely fight for what is right. The lonely battle fought by two petitioners for defending the rights of two priests branded as “renegades” by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet has received support from five preeminent Zoroastrians.
It is their example we have to cite to those who bemoan our current state of affairs. The majority of the community may be ignorant or indifferent. But there are still those who will do right by the community and the country.
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