Better late than never

It is just possible that Parsis are only declining in numbers in India, partly due to shortage of affordable accommodation, but more so because of materialism — desire for a career, monetary comfort, even striving for a degree of opulence and putting off having a family till those ambitions are satisfied. The third reason is a feeling of exclusivity, fostered by vain ideas of superiority of race.

These obstacles may not be present in the community abroad, particularly in the US and hence perhaps the community will become rejuvenated there far from the fatwa-issuing priests who discourage the children of mixed couples. Rejuvenation is achieved by the dying of the old order and acceptance of a more rational and advanced thinking. I believe that the Parsis and the Zarathushtis are undergoing such a change in the US which may become very noticeable in a couple of decades.

Right now the community is going through a transition that is always troublesome. In India, resistance against outmoded, unjust and irrational thinking put up by people like Roshni Maloo, Goolrookh Gupta, Ervad Khushroo Madon, Meher Master-Moos, and Camille and Zeenia Framroze is very encouraging. The legal challenge by Jamsheed Kanga, Homi Khusrokhan and the five eminent community members who joined them should give pause to the power-intoxicated WAPIZ (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zar-thoshtis)-led Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP). The latter’s chairman Dinshaw Mehta, who thinks he is above the law, arrogates to himself the right to invade private premises, tear off people’s clothes and push elderly women around. Right-thinking elements of the community have finally risen up to say enough is enough. This should have happened a long time back, but better late than never.

JAMSHED R. UDVADIA

Lansing, Michigan, USA

jrudvadia1@sbcglobal.net