On the offensive

"What is democracy without dissent?” inquired lawyer Frahnak Contractor at a gathering at Jer Baug on May 27, 2011. She was alluding to the remarks made by candidate Anahita Desai claiming that she is "a like-minded” person and therefore worthy of being elected to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trusteeship seat vacated by Noshir Dadra­wala. Desai is the wife of sitting trustee Yazdi and chief executive officer of the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ) which already has two trustees on the BPP board.

With a "haa mé haa” (yes to everything) outlook the BPP trust would become "BPP Private Limited,” she alleged. She claimed WAPIZ was "politicizing religion. We have another term for it — it’s called Taliban.”

Underlining the need for a code of conduct to limit the number of mid-term elections, BPP chairman Dinshaw Mehta referred to the "tremendous cost of holding elections at five different centers.” He estimated the expense to the BPP for the present election at around 25 lakh rupees. What the individual candidates spend is in addition [the total figure could be anywhere between one to one and a half crore rupees ($ 2,22,222 to $ 3,32,333) — editors].

Narrating his travails in finding a consensus candidate, Mehta noted most people approached replied "aee jhanjhat maa parvu nathi” (we don’t want that headache). When the respected Tata Sons director Farrokh Kavarana finally agreed to stand, BPP and WAPIZ trustees Khojeste Mistree and Yazdi opposed his candidature, favoring Anahita instead. "Is WAPIZ so bereft” of suitable people that they "have no other candidate?” Mehta queried. "We cannot allow the WAPIZ or any single political party to take over the BPP… What is the hidden agenda of WAPIZ… Perhaps they want to make the BPP into the Taliban...

"WAPIZ has been attacking the chairman of the BPP. Can we have harmonious working” in such an atmosphere? he inquired.

BPP trustee Arnavaz Mistry said that all the candidates on the Adult Franchise for Progress (AFP) panel in the 2008 election were "religious minded.” Noting that Cama was "helping the poor,” she asserted that he would safeguard the religion. "Dharam saachavsé ané dharam paalsé. Aié dharamchoost chhè” (he is religious minded).

Addressing the gathering Cama asserted he was never part of the AFP but a "fiercely independent” person. He shared platforms with the AFP panel because all the public venues had been booked for speaking and "only the afternoon” slot was available. But if he came at that time and disturbed people’s siesta "I would be very unpopular,” he jested. He had also approached WAPIZ chairman Areez Khambatta to share the platform with their candidates but Khambatta said his co-trustees Mistree and Yazdi were opposed to the proposal.

"Trustees are not here to make happy families or make friends. They are here to serve,” said Cama, in reference to Anahita’s claim that she would bring harmony to the board.

(From left): Arnavaz Mistry; Dinshaw Mehta, Frahnak Contractor; (below) meetings at Jer Baug (left) and Rustom Baug; (top) Muncherji Cama. Photos: Sarosh Daruwalla

Feed-a-family

At the Rustom Baug meet on May 29 honorary treasurer of the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute and trustee of the Garib Zarthostiona Rehethan Fund (GZRF), Rohinton Paddar noted that the GZRF had 40 residential buildings for Parsis at Marzban Colony, Lal Chimney and elsewhere. Noting that the trust bears all charges for the repairs to the properties, including the interiors for those who cannot afford it, Paddar said Cama "helps the poor in all humility. He has excellent human relations.” He referred to the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of India (ZTFI) of which Cama is a trustee and the "feed-a-family” program they had initiated "to lessen hunger.”

Thespian Dinyar Contractor said he had been "caught unawares” when asked to speak as there were so many "other stalwarts” of the Colony who would be more qualified. When he mentioned this to the Cama team he was informed the others chose not to speak "for reasons best known to them.” He welcomed Cama to the Colony built by the Wadia family.

"Munchi has the knack of getting along with people,” said Frahnak Contractor. The Punchayet "needs a powerful man like Cama” with his considerable clout and contacts. "Naam sé kaam hota (the right name gets the job done). Anahita though "a fine person (is) young. She has not gone through the grind. She is raw.”

Terming Anahita "the face of Yazdi Desai,” Mehta said he told "Yazdi to resign and let her come in your place.” Mehta alleged that Yazdi misses several trustee meetings and the ones he attends, he comes after 8.30 p.m. "WAPIZ is becoming power hungry.” He cautioned the community against the "tyranny of WAPIZ.”

Rusi Sethna at mike and Muncherji Cama

If Cama were elected there would be "synergy between the trusts that Cama manages and the BPP to the advantage of the entire community,” predicted Mehta. Cama is a trustee with the A. H. Wadia Trust, amongst the richest in the community.

"A trustee must manage for today and have a vision for tomorrow,” said Cama. "We must think about our children and grandchildren.” He spoke about the flooding near Gilder Lane and how the trust laid down sewer lines at their expense. "What they [the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC)] did not do, we did.”

During the question answer session WAPIZ activist Tannaz Parakh alleged that nine flats were kept locked up in Marzban Colony. Cama answered the figure was not nine, but 11; the flats were in possession of the trust and used for transit accommodation for tenants whose buildings were being repaired. He referred to a tenement in a widows’ chawl where after the death of the widow a man had broken into the premises. He then ran a business without paying a rupee in rent. He had installed air conditioners in the room. Terming him "an outright trespasser” Cama said he initiated litigation and had him evicted. The tenement was then allotted to a widow. "Only litigation of that sort” is resorted to. "No other,” he clarified.

Hanoz Mistry, associate editor of The Parsee Voice, alleged that The Bombay Samachar, "Parsi Tari Arsi” columnist Berjis Desai writes "garbage” and there is no disclaimer stating that the views expressed by the columnist are not those of the newspaper. "A disclaimer is tautological,” replied Cama. "It is not necessary and by saying so we do not absolve ourselves. The disclaimer has no weight in law. A newspaper is not a preserve of one person. We are not tyrants. It is a combined effort.” Our family policy has been to "never interfere in the editorial policy. If an advertisement appears in the paper that does not mean we endorse it. This is a democracy. Berjis’ writing is not irreligious. He has written against practices and opinions he is personally against.”

He noted The Bombay Samachar carried letters from readers opposing the paper’s editorial policy. "Would you say the same for The Parsee Voice?” he queried. Mistry did not respond.

"Nobody’s stooge”

At the Dadar meet on May 31, lecturer Dara Khodaiji termed both a husband and wife serving on the BPP board "unethical. It’s not cricket, old chap,” he said referring to the old English expression. He noted that Cama "was not a bigot, not dogmatic and has an intellectual bent of mind. When we have the best why should we settle for anything less?” he queried.

Mancherji Joshi Colony stalwart Mithoo Jesia, referring to Cama’s aristocratic lineage noted "community service is in his blood. He will bring stability to the BPP board which today is in a very shaky position. This man will be nobody’s stooge. He has courage to call a spade a spade. The Zarthoshti religion will be safe in his hands.”

Dr Kuresh Zorabi, an active member of the National Congress Party (NCP), noted that WAPIZ "already has two members on the board. A third person is not justified... getting more WAPIZ trustees means the community will be in a mess.” He likened WAPIZ to the terrorist organization, Al Qaeda. "If Anahita comes don’t be surprised if Khojeste Mistree becomes the next chairman of the BPP.” (Sounds of "oh, oh” and "ah, ah.”)

At the CCI meet Nadir and Rati Godrej in first row; Farrokh Kavarana (extreme right, second row)

Zorabi alleged that though he was instrumental in getting the heritage status for the agiaries in Bombay by using his political clout, WAPIZ was claiming the credit. "Why are they shunning away from giving me credit?” (Mistree claims he has correspondence to show that WAPIZ worked for the project — editors.)

Zorabi said he spoke to NCP’s chief Sharad Pawar regarding the dearth of vultures at Doongerwadi. "I can get you vultures but will they survive there?” queried Pawar. He was alluding to the presence of the drug diclofenac in Parsi corpses. The drug is lethal if ingested by the winged scavengers.

Mehta referred to "the sorry state of affairs” in the community due to the repeated elections. "We could have avoided another election especially during the monsoons.” But gaining elected office "is an all powerful (desire) for them (WAPIZ).”

He recalled how developer Zarir Bhathena "was maligned by WAPIZ” when building Hilla Towers in the Wadia Agiary compound at Lalbaug. "Today 100 Parsi families stay there.” (Applause)

In the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI), vice president and former president of the Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat Areez Khambatta has instructed Sorab Katpitia who manages the all-India body’s defunct anjuman project to put the names of Khambatta, Mistree, Yazdi, and Anahita as representatives of the FPZAI and not that of Mehta who is the president of the FPZAI and the BPP, alleged Mehta.

"Why should Areez Khambatta put this proposal forth?” queried Mehta. He declared it is a part of the "dirty games” WAPIZ was playing such as claiming the Doongerwadi staff were supporters of Anahita when they were not. He referred to Tannaz Parakh allegedly trying to disrupt Cama’s electoral meetings and requested her husband Sohrab to restrain her. "I hope Tannaz will not disrupt this meeting.”

(Clockwise, from top l): Mithoo Jesia, Rohinton Paddar, Dr Kuresh Zorabi, Gordarfrid and Tahmtan Aresh, Mehernosh Fitter, Viraf Mehta, Dara Kodaiji and Shiraz Guard

Arnavaz Mistry noted the Ratanbai F. D. Panday Girls High School of which Cama is a trustee holds religious classes and that Dastur Kaikhushro Dastoor Meherjirana speaks at the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute of which Cama is the president. "The best preparation for good work tomorrow is good work today,” said Mistry.

"Why would I stand for public office if I would not have the time?” queried Cama responding to allegations he is too preoccupied with other trusts. "People who have a lot to do know how to manage time.”

Narrating how he had assisted the needy, Cama said in an effort to make life easier for recipients of doles from the A. H. Wadia Trust the monies are sent to the ground floor instead of the donee having to climb three floors. When flats are allotted to people they are painted, repaired and fitted with tube lights and fans at the trust’s expense, noted Cama. From the poor even rent would not be collected except that it is a requirement of the Rent Act. In some tenements the rent is only Re 1, he added.

During the question answer session Sohrab Modi inquired if the Doon­gerwadi land would be taken over by developers? Cama replied, "In the 1940s there was a rumor that Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London were sold… Whether I am a trustee or not I will vehemently oppose any moves for further encroachment of Doongerwadi lands. (Applause)

A gentleman from Bharucha Baug inquired, "How will you bring synergy?”

Cama: "Mix and match as the need arises.”

Tannaz Parakh alleged that there were fundamental differences in Mehta and Cama’s approach to managing charity. "The election alliance is a natak (play),” she claimed.

Cama responded that he stood as an independent candidate and "asked no one to support me.”

Mehta offered his support, said Cama. Even if he loses "I will continue to do what I have been doing. It is an advantage for the board of trustees to have people from different academic and service backgrounds.”

Homi Dalal mentioned about a Parsi family living on the pavement outside the Petit Sanatorium near Kemps Corner. He said he phoned trustee Arnavaz Mistry who said she had offered them accommodation at the Panday Dharamshala or the Sir J. J. Parsi Ward but they refused saying they wanted a flat. When Cama was told about the matter he said he would try and give them accommodation. "Direct the people to my office,” he instructed. (On closer scrutiny it appeared the family was not deserving of community housing, being troublesome neighbors at the Sanatorium and having reportedly already disposed of a flat they had.)

"For 50 years my husband has supported Khojeste Mistree and made him what he is — unfortunately,” said Gordarfrid Aresh, wife of California-based millionaire, Tahmtan. She then asked Parakh on whose authority WAPIZ permitted the children of men married to non-Parsis admission to WAPIZ. "The girls are left on the street to marry whoever they want,” she commented. "When is WAPIZ going to have a meeting because I am going to come and ask questions?”

Compere Shiraz Guard concluded that Cama "is always a giver, never a taker. He is a disciplined man.”

"The circle has turned”

Muncherji Cama’s uncle Rusi Cama often used to say, "Sukh ni zindagi dukh maa nahi naakhvaani (do not transfer a life of happiness into one of sorrows),” said noted solicitor Rusi Sethna addressing members of the erstwhile donor register and others who had been invited to the C. K. Naydu Hall of the Cricket Club of India on June 10, 2011 to hear Cama speak of his vision for the community.

"Munchi will offer relief against every ill that afflicts the community,” said Sethna. The opposition candidate, Anahita, "takes, not gives” he said, alluding to her being a licensee of a BPP colony flat in Rustom Baug. Rather than try to "disqualify” her from contesting the election, "Mehta said ‘let’s fight.’ I am sure that is also what Munchi wants,” narrated Sethna. He described Cama "as a person of stature who is willing to work.”

"Does Cama not support religious causes?” questioned BPP trustee Arnavaz Mistry who had been elected in 2008 with the largest number of votes among all the winners. "Rubbish! This is a lie spread to malign Munchi. What he wants is to bring the philanthropic traditions of his family to the BPP,” she said speaking her mind.

The centerpiece of the evening however was Mehta,to hear him declaim in favor of a contestant he had earlier criticized along with the rest of the AFP board who had opposed him two-and-a-half years ago. In 2008 Mehta had been joined at the hip with WAPIZ, but 30 months can be a long time in politics. Actually, the split dates back to just over two months.

"The circle has turned. Today I am opposing WAPIZ and supporting Munchi,” acknowledged Mehta before detailing the chain of events that made him see the world around him differently, beginning with the resignation of former trustee Noshir Dadrawala. Recalling Arnavaz Mistry’s "sensible suggestion” to postpone the election until after the monsoon in the interest of community members as much as the BPP staff that is required to carry their heavy ledgers and other paraphernalia to five different locations, Mehta noted that co-trustee Mistree had supported the idea and added that while seeking the High Court’s permission for the postponement, the BPP could simultaneously ask the Court to include a code of conduct in the BPP’s electoral scheme. Mistree was also in favor of finding a consensus candidate in the interest of peace in the community.

However, on April 19 co-trustee Jimmy Mistry came to the board after missing three earlier meetings and declared that neither Cama nor any other person of standing was available as a consensus candidate, so it was an "opportune time to get in our own candidate, Anahita Desai,” related Mehta. Mehta recounted his objection to a husband and wife team on the BPP board though he said he had nothing against Anahita personally and felt that she would be a more effective trustee if she came in place of her husband Yazdi who he said does not attend board meetings generally until after 8.30 p.m.

In the process "the community lost out on a trustee of the stature of (Tata Sons board member) Farrokh Kavarana whose presence would have raised the credibility of the board.” While Kavarana was willing to serve as a consensus candidate, he is not willing to contest an election.

This "takeover of the BPP by WAPIZ” seeming imminent, Mehta said he decided to oppose Anahita’s candidature. In an unexpected turn of events Tahmtan Aresh approached Mehta with the information that Cama could be persuaded to stand and arranged a meeting between the stalwarts at his residence. They discussed the housing policy and were in agreement that the BPP’s low value flats be acquired by the trust and given to the poor while the high value flats at Cusrow Baug, Rustom Baug and Ness Baug could be auctioned to raise funds for further constructions. Mehta said he went to the tenants of the GZRF, where Cama is a trustee and honorary secretary, to gauge their opinion of the man and "got a very positive response.” He said he learnt that Cama ensures that roofs don’t leak and even undertakes the internal repairs and painting of the flats of the very poor; and while the BPP expects its tenants to contribute 50 percent to the cost of structural repairs, the GZRF does not.

According to Mehta, the BPP plans to build housing in Andheri, Jogeshwari and a "hospice for mentally challenged children at the Tehmulji Parsi Lying-in Hospital,” while the GZRF is planning a new colony at Lamington Road. He said he welcomed the "synergy” that Cama would bring to the Punchayet whereas "there will be no such addition by Anahita coming on the board… Ever since WAPIZ has come on the scene, religion has reared its head; the community is completely polarized by it. Everyone suspects their motives.”

The evening’s compere Viraf Mehta had referred to Cama’s aristocratic lineage with connections to the Jamsetji Jejeebhoy, Petit and Cowasji Jehangir families as also to the snide remarks made at WAPIZ meetings on Cama’s size and infirmities and wondered if BPP trustees are now expected to be selected on the basis of looks or ability to run a 200 m race. The 54-year-old Cama began by acknowledging his knee problem and added, "I never knew how to run because I never needed to run away from anyone!”

Defining trusteeship as an "office of service,” Cama declared that it was his "burning ambition of accepting trusteeship to leave the trust property in a better condition than when I found it… I like to put myself in the shoes of the settlors and wonder how they would feel about the current affairs.” While he has been criticized as a "litigant,” Cama said he considered litigation as expensive on one’s purse as well as health and had mutually settled several cases at the GZRF when he joined that trust though he did not shy away from litigating when the circumstances demanded it.

According to Cama the BPP is a "one stop multi insurance company.” It must speak with one voice, reflecting the majority view. "It is not a place to play happy family with each other… The Mazdayasni religion belongs to us all… We should not make further laughing stocks of ourselves by bickering in public.” The BPP has no business dabbling in religion. He said he would like to make the young more independent and less dependent on charity and handouts, use the BPP’s commercial properties only for young Parsi entrepreneurs.

"A trustee should be caring, keep things ready for what people may need tomorrow, small things like hand rails and ramps.” He claims he sleeps at 2 a.m. and rises at 4 a.m. and thus has more than a six-hour start on others! And to all those who complain about his girth, comparing him to a potato, "Parsis like potatoes and surely, when you go marketing, you pick a good plump chicken and not a scrawny one!”

When the field was open for questions, Percy Kekobad from the audience observed that the "majority of the community above 60 had a place to stay but not the means to survive” and asked Cama if he was in favor of building an old age home. Calling it a "prime need,” Cama requested the questioner to furnish him with names of such people.

Another querist asked for his opinion on the "renegade priests” case. Cama, who had bailed out the BPP by getting one of the two priests to submit an affidavit in favor of the Punchayet, noted his inability to revisit the case now, but "in future I will not be party to such frivolous litigation.”

"Opportunities are like the sunrise. If you wait too long, you miss it,” declared Viraf Mehta. "If you wait too long, you will miss the opportunity to have him on the BPP board!” For the moment, the audience was more interested in the dinner that awaited them.

(Cama’s CCI report by Arnavaz S. Mama)