End dogmatism

Who is a non-practicing Parsi? One who does not wear a sudreh and kusti? One who does not religiously follow the reet rivaj (customs and rituals)? One who does not regularly visit the agiary and atash behram? One who opts for burial or cremation instead of dakhmenashini? To me, none of the above are non-believers in our beautiful faith.

Is it feasible to religiously wear the sudreh kusti 24/7 what with the hurly-burly of life in the metro cities, not to mention the trendy wear that both the young and not-so-old love to wear? Does it mean that those who don’t wear the sudreh and kusti are kafirs? Also, how is it possible to follow scrupulously all the reet rivaj and rituals without faltering? It’s just not practical. History has shown that we have changed with the times, so why such insistence in this time and age?

When dakhmas have existed alongside burial grounds in India since ages why create an unnecessary controversy? Visiting the agiary is often done under duress, not of a person’s free will. Why should we be dictated to by anyone in these matters? It has never been done before, so why this sudden Talibani­zation? The real priority should be to ensure that Parsis don’t dwindle into extinction, rather than waste time on diehard orthodoxy.

Even so, those who wish to ardently follow the above are free to do so. But don’t point fingers at those who don’t! The latter are no less fervent Parsis. Live and let live. We have been identified and appreciated for our honesty, readiness to help, inborn philanthropy and tolerance for other religious beliefs. Being staunch Indians, our friendly Parsipanu has endeared us to one and all, not only in India but abroad. These are traits we need to nurture and cherish, and be less involved with the current spate of ugliness in our midst. It is my heartfelt wish that sense prevails and dogmatism ends.

RODA D. HAKIM

Baroda

vadhakim@yahoo.com