The BPP elections

Muncherji Cama’s recent victory at the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) polls has restored my faith in the community which has given a resounding slap across WAPIZ’s (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis) face and told them "Enough is enough.”

You can fool some Parsis all the time and all Parsis some of the time, but you can’t fool all the Parsis all the time. People are tired of empty promises of transparency and accountability. They are tired of people professing that they are defending the religion when in truth they are only defending their coveted positions at the BPP. Parsis have seen through the bluff.

The fundamental teaching of the Prophet is based on the principle of Asha (truth/righteousness), a virtue so alien to WAPIZ ideology and ethos. WAPIZ has used all the dirty tricks of politics to divide the community and rule.

Religion is to be lived and not talked about. Religion should promote peace and brotherhood — not dissensions and bad blood.

Truly this election has been a watershed. It has been a defeat for the perpetrators of the lie. It has been a defeat for all those who have used religion to wield power.

Justice has been done and the community deserves kudos. Since October 2008 I had stopped calling the Parsis an "enlightened community.” I am happy that the community has acted wisely — albeit a bit late. But, better late than never!

NOSHIR H. DADRAWALA

noshir@capindia.in

In a lighter vein one may joke that living up to their gastronomic genes even at election time, members of our electorate heartily opted for the all time Parsi hot favorite, "round potato” who wedged out his lean competitor. The uncouth dig by WAPIZ (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis) referring to Muncherji Cama’s plus size that drew criticism from civilized quarters, proved to be an advantage for the targeted contender as he sportingly laughed it off and wittily retorted to it at all campaign meetings.

But on a more serious note it has to be contended that responsible voters have saved the day for our apex body by showing that some among us are still independent thinkers with minds of our own, befitting a progressive community.

MICKIE SORABJEE

nashmick@hotmail.com

My friend refers to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) as the "Blood Pressure of Parsis.” This is a group disease which reaches its height during the election of a new trustee or trustees. Hypertension slowly rises and develops into hysteria.

All Parsis, particularly the trustees themselves get entangled in the competition. Every member of the board hopes and tries to get candidates of his/her choice elected. The large electorate based on adult franchise gets divided reflecting the mutual hostility and divisions among the members of the board.

Elections are held and conducted by the trustees themselves in the absence of any constitutional independent body of authority for the purpose. Hence it is necessary to frame specific rules. The sitting trustees should be prohibited from proposing or seconding any candidate or taking part in any election campaign; the BPP’s electorate should be limited to permanent residents of the city and suburbs of greater Bombay; and only registered voters should be permitted to contest, propose or second candidates.

The BPP still has a lot to learn since adult franchise was introduced very recently.

R. S. PARDIWALA

The Parsis, sad to say, are no more the community of old. The reports of hooliganism and physical attacks, first on a Zoroastrian from abroad and now the goondaism at the recently held Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trusteeship elections are two clear recent examples of how our moral character has declined.

Those who say that this was done by "a lunatic fringe” should recognize that communities are often recognized by the acts of such groups.

Parsis have often been known to bemoan and castigate the physical threats and violence of some other communities and political wings. Now we are fully "integrated” into our society and are no better, no worse than others. It is time to introspect and, before that, to hang our heads in shame.

FARROKH MEHTA

farrokh_mehta@yahoo.com

I would like to see the winning candidate breaking the cartel at the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trusteeship election. Fanaticism must be put to rest. The BPP is a trust which as per the trust deeds implements the donors’ wishes for the community, nothing more.

Being a staunch Parsi is one thing, but shamefully degrading anyone with a differing viewpoint is despicable. Will the BPP be able to function effectively? With so much bitterness all around would the trustees be able to work amicably? Have we already forgotten Noshir Dadrawala’s plight? I foresee a nit-picking exercise that will unfold for public scrutiny and, heaven forbid, court cases galore at the expense of trust moneys.

Here is a further thought provoking question about what can happen. If another non-WAPIZ trustee resigns, will the next trustee from the WAPIZ group attempt to induct his wife as well? This would start a precedent bereft of moral rules! What a state to find our community in! It would prove to be the last nail in the coffin of a religion so beautiful and yet so simple, based on good thoughts, good words and good deeds. In the present state of affairs such precepts have been relegated to the backburner! RODA D. HAKIM

Baroda

vadhakim@yahoo.com