“Be inclusive, not exclusive”

In a compromise move the West Zone B vice presidency of the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) will be shared between Surat Parsi Panchayat president Darayas Master and founder trustee of the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ) Areez Khambatta. To coordinate the affairs of West Zone B comprising Gujarat, Daman and Diu, Master will officiate as vice president for the first year and Khambatta for the second. As announced by Federation president Dinshaw Mehta on the first day of the two-day executive council and annual general meeting (AGM) of the Federation on February 11 and 12, 2012, "Both have shown statesmen like qualities. (The solution) will put an end to acrimony.”

But Mehta’s prediction was short-lived as elections for the seats of five co-opted members the next morning resulted in the meeting being delayed by 45 minutes whilst groups of delegates from various factions huddled together on the floor of the Banaji Atash Behram Hall. WAPIZ wanted to bring in all their candidates which was unacceptable to the Mehta camp. After much heated debate amongst the delegates, another compromise was worked out whereby West Zone A and B will each now have two co-opted members instead of one, thereby accommodating one from each warring faction.

The co-opted members are Farrokh Rustomji who has been familiar with the Federation for close to three decades and Farokh Irani of Poona from West Zone A; Federation joint honorary secretary Pervez Mehta of Bardoli and Persi Buhariwala of Vyara from West Zone B; Cyrus Mancherji, the newly elected president of Mhow from the North Zone. The only zone to suffer from this arrangement was the South Zone whose co-opted seat was usurped by the West Zone without their consent. Since the East Zone has not been attending the Federation meetings for the last few years, there was no one to complain that their seat had been assigned to another zone.

(Below): Federation meeting in session; (above) Dinshaw Mehta (left) and Khojeste Mistree

The compromise on the vice presidency issue had negated the need for elections. Three other zonal vice presidents backed by WAPIZ came in unopposed: Mancher Mubarakai, nominated by Dahanu, replaces Porusasp Mehta of Poona as vice president of West Zone A (comprising Maharashtra and Goa). Tehmton Anklesaria, nominated by Ratlam, will continue as the North Zone vice president and Kerfegar Antia of Hyderabad, nominated by Belgaum, as the South Zone vice president. The remaining office bearers who also came in uncontested were joint honorary secretaries Khojeste Mistree and Pervez Mehta, and joint honorary treasurers Yazdi Desai and Mehrwan Irani. A WAPIZ move to oust Pervez Mehta was thwarted by the Dinshaw Mehta camp. The chairman of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) is the ex officio president of the Federation.

With probably the highest ever attendance at a FPZAI meet, over 30 anjumans came from West Zone B alone. Their presence had been called for should an election have taken place for the post of West Zone B vice president. Additionally 12 members represented West Zone A; six members, the North Zone; and three members, the South Zone. To buttress the strength of West Zone B, the memberships of Bhatha, Bhesan, Bhagva, Karanj and Surat Parsi Anjuman Punchayet were revived, and recognition was granted to the Udvada-Sodfalia Behdin Anjuman (USBA).

The contentious issue of anjumans relinquishing their membership and being readmitted occupied nearly two hours of the members’ time. Mehta ruled that unless a resignation was accepted by the Federation after meeting all the procedural requirements, an anjuman continued as a member and by paying the arrears in fees could continue to participate as members. "Unfortunately Hyderabad has withdrawn from the Federation (but) if either Ahmedabad or Hyderabad want to rejoin… we will welcome them like the prodigal child who wants to come back home,” he stated.

The membership of USBA also raised hackles with WAPIZ alleging that USBA had never been a member of the Federation and Mehta ruling that Udvada had a permanent seat on the all-India body.

Focus on five

In fact even before the customary minutes could be passed Mubarakai demanded an explanation for the documents distributed to all Federation members before the commencement of the meet. When Dinshaw Mehta attempted to clarify, Mubarakai interjected, "I will give you a chance later.” This promptly earned a rebuke from the president who had to remind him, "You are out of order.”

One of the leaflets was a notice served by Khambatta’s advocate H. H. Ponda to Dinshaw Mehta a day prior to the Federation meeting stating, "It has just come to my client’s notice that yesterday, just two days before the election, you have sought to illegally appoint five new members of the FPZAI… You have done so with the mala fide object of garnering votes for your candidate… in an attempt to ensure that I do not win the elections. Please note that their appointment as members is completely illegal as the same is in violation of the Rules and Regulations of the FPZAI. The said five parties resigned as members as far back as August 31, 2009… stating that they were not interested in continuing as members… It appears that on February 9, 2012, the said five parties sought to pay their membership fees for the years 2009 to 2011 and under your instructions the staff of the Parsi Punchayet has accepted the said fees… As per Rule 3… any anjuman… desiring to become a member… has to apply for membership… Such application form, duly filled in, will then be placed before the executive council when it meets. The executive council will consider the same and will accept or reject it by a simple majority… The purported appointment of the said five parties as members is ex facie illegal and my client calls upon you to ensure that they are not allowed to attend or vote at the elections…”

In his detailed clarification Mistree reiterated that "something illegal has been perpetrated” and these five anjumans had "no right to vote” for they had "voluntarily opted out of the Federation… By all means they can rejoin but by due process of law. This is not the way the Federation should run. Legalities should be maintained. We have to follow the Rules and Regulations… As honorary secretary I was not told that receipts had been issued. This was done behind my back… Let’s do things honestly and fairly… This has nothing to do with the representatives of any anjuman. Most people coming here are not staying in the anjuman (they represent).”

"There is a wild allegation that you hounded them out of the Federation,” stated Mistree backer Tannaz Parakh representing Khergam. Responded Mistree: "Those who know me well should know that I am incapable of hounding anyone. I am probably the gentlest giant existing in this room.” He accepted that they had asked a series of "straightforward questions” to Roshan Modi concerning the structure of the five anjumans, why their cheques were signed by her daughter Pervin Jariwalla, whether Jariwalla was married through nikah or the Special Marriage Act (SMA). "This is no gher no ghambar (household affair). This has been done with a sinister view in mind to garner votes for West Zone B. How can anjumans just walk in and out?” he sought to know.

In support of Mistree, Antia stated, "Everything should move through you. We would like to know whether the applications were received by post. Who opened the envelopes? Who deposited the cheques?” Stating that the dues were paid in cash Mistree added, "I was kept in the dark. Under instructions, the staff had not told me… Am I supposed to snoop in at night? I am extremely saddened that for political upmanship I have been ignored.”

"I am also the joint honorary secretary. No one treats me as a joint secretary,” declared Pervez Mehta perhaps hinting at the seat that is never allowed for him at the main table that accommodates the office bearers. (In the past the joint honorary secretaries sat at the main table. One secretary, as per custom, is a BPP trustee; the other from another anjuman.) "These applications were sent to me. I sent them to the Bombay office,” announced the Bardoli resident.

"My basic idea was to have maximum representation in the Federation,” claimed Dinshaw Mehta adding, "It is in our interest to be inclusive and not exclusive… This is no longer the Federation body (of yore)… I hope that WAPIZ does not make it political.” He subsequently admitted that in 2009 those five anjumans were "forced… tortured” until they said they were not interested in continuing as Federation members. "They were bombarded with a series of letters on the same lines” demanding an affidavit that she (Jariwala) has not converted, that she had married under the SMA... "I gave a ruling that her cheques be returned. I did not say they are not members,” he insisted. Incensed by his implication that only the WAPIZ trustees were to blame, Parakh questioned, "Are you a thumb chairman?” Countered Mehta, "At that time we were married. Now we are divorced. Let us call a spade a spade.”

Heated exchange between delegates of West Zone B over renewing membership of five anjumans

President of the Vadodara Parsi Panchayat Baman Cama who has observed the working of the Federation for the last 30 years referred to earlier meetings when new anjumans would be invited to a Federation meeting and made a member at the same meeting. According to him the basic purpose of the Federation was for "anjumans to come together with the singular role to see Parsi Zoroastrians survive and for better prosperity.” He also felt that Federation office bearers should be representatives of their anjuman, a sentiment earlier expressed by Pervez Irani representing the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman who felt that only elected office bearers of an anjuman should be permitted to "rightfully and constitutionally give their opinion and vote; not any representative to the Federation.” Since Khambatta does not represent his anjuman on the Federation, Ahmedabad having opted out of the all-India body in protest against Khambatta’s inclusion, Parakh asserted, "A vice president has to be elected by the zonal anjumans. There are eight anjumans nominating him. He is not supposed to represent an individual anjuman.”

Federation veterans recalled that when Bombay walked out of the Federation over differences with the Delhi Parsi Anjuman and later chose to rejoin, they were not required to make a fresh application. Addressing a community fond of its customs and traditions, BPP trustee Muncherji Cama noted that a precedent has been set. "Where is the resignation? Where is the resolution passed at the meeting? Authority can only flow from a resolution… Let us have the election and go on and not waste any time.”

"Let us behave like the noble Zoroastrians we claim to be and get together and do constructive work instead of continuing with this futile discussion,” stated former BPP trustee Jamsheed Kanga, presently representing Satara but being associated with the Federation for the last several decades since the time BPP joined the umbrella body with "the sole purpose of helping each other... We should welcome them instead of fearing ‘they will vote against me and I will appear small.’ Do we have nothing better to do than to be the president or vice president? Let us look at the issue in a charitable way… not go on technicality… For the purpose of getting one person elected, we are throwing out five members… For the sake of a rich man who can buy over any anjuman or punchayet?”

On behalf of the WAPIZ president Mistree expressed his disbelief that "a bureaucrat (Kanga being the former municipal commissioner of Bombay) does not respect the law.” Despite the heated exchanges and attacks on WAPIZ, "Areez has not said a word,” appreciated Mistree. (He had reportedly been instructed not to say anything till the issue of electing vice presidents was decided.)

Rustomji felt that since the executive council anyway precedes the AGM their applications for renewed membership could be taken up prior to the elections. But Mehta insisted this procedure was only necessary for new members like Chhatisgarh and Godhra whose applications were subsequently accepted by the executive council and not those who were already members. "Their membership has never been cancelled.”

Opined Poona resident Adi Engineer who was representing Kanpur by virtue of having spent 15 years in that city decades earlier, "The meeting is deteriorating into chaos. The main purpose is to create cordiality… We must follow the rules whether they are convenient or not. When people come in at the last minute it always leaves a bad flavor. They must decide one month before (the elections).” Asserted Mehta, "Fifteen anjumans have paid their fees in the last week.”

When Anklesaria opined that on any club or organization if the fees are not paid "you lose membership automatically,” Mehta insisted, "It is not in the rules (of the Federation).”

Sparring over the sixth

Reaccepting the five anjumans within the Federation fold was not the only cause for disharmony. Another issue greatly debated was the membership granted to USBA with fees of 33 years accepted in cash on the reasoning that Udvada has a permanent seat on the executive council.

As per Ponda’s notice on behalf of Khambatta, USBA "is not a member of the FPZAI and never was a member… You have illegally sought to bypass the executive council and to unilaterally appoint (USBA) as a member with mala fide intent only 10 days before the elections in an attempt to ensure that your candidate wins the elections.”

"Questioning the validity” of USBA to represent Udvada, Mistree said, "I took the liberty to write to the High Priests.” The responses he elicited from the two High Priests of Udvada were amongst the literature circulated to the members before the start of the meeting. As detailed by Dastur (Dr) Peshotan Mirza, the Udvada Anjuman comprises the Athornan Anjuman of the nine athornan families of Udvada, the Behdin Anjuman representing the laity who have been residents of Udvada gam and Sodfalia gam prior to and since 1937 and their direct descendants; and the Udvada Samast Anjuman that is a combination of the first two anjumans. "All issues pertaining to Udvada are taken care of by Udvada Athornan Anjuman and Udvada Samast Anjuman. Udvada Samast Anjuman has not given any authority to an individual to represent Udvada in FPZAI.” Dastur Khurshed Dastoor was of the view that if USBA "chooses to become (a) member of FPZAI, it is their own independent decision.”

Remarked Mistree, "The forefathers of this constitution would not have given membership” to USBA under the prevailing circumstances. "Is this how the Federation is going to be run? As the honorary secretary I should be consulted. I am not saying I am the final authority… Let us as good Zoroastrians discuss this issue (and)… come to a correct decision by way of a majority.”

Commending Mistree for being "an excellent orator,” and expressing his inadequacy to match "his rhetoric and his ability to sway the crowds,” Dinshaw Mehta maintained that even though Udvada may not have paid its fees it "continues to be a member” by virtue of it holding a permanent membership seat since inception. He insisted that by suppressing Dastoor’s letter of February 6, 2012 Mistree was concealing the real picture that the Udvada Samast Anjuman and the Udvada Athornan Anjuman were not presently interested in becoming members of the Federation. "I didn’t know they (WAPIZ) would be distributing copies otherwise I would have come well prepared… It is reprehensible on your part to include the High Priests in the internal politics of the Federation. Don’t politicize issues. WAPIZ has done enough damage, (created) complete disunity in the community… I feel completely above board.”

(from left) Yazdi Karanjia and Darayas Master (standing) with Khojeste Mistree, Yazdi Desai and Dinshaw Mehta; Homi Pithawalla, Kersi Sanjana and Pervez Mehta

Dadiba Dalal, president of the Madras Anjuman, expressed "a little surprise that after 33 years an anjuman decides to become a member and sends in payment by cash.” In response to a question "What sparked this decision to join?” Mehta stated, "Better late than never.” Pointed out Mistree, "Udvada didn’t send a letter wanting to be a member… Doesn’t that show the intention?” Shouted Farroakh Gova­dia representing Nargol, "Koi bhi laavo té nahi chaalé (You cannot bring whoever you want).” Visakhapatnam representative Dinyar Nakra commented, "The rule book is not being followed.” Repeated Mehta, "Let the house decide but those with vested interest should not talk.” When Parakh reminded Mehta that "Darayas Master is your candidate,” he shot back that at the time of the last elections when Master was asked to withdraw his candidature in favor of Khambatta he had been assured that he would be given a chance at the next elections.

Mubarakai asked, "If tomorrow I form an anjuman with the name Udvada in it will I be allowed to sit in on the executive council?” On behalf of USBA Rohinton Engineer clarified, "The Behdin Anjuman has not been formed today. It is duly registered with the charity commissioner.”

"The constitutional framework (of the Federation) has been laid by our forefathers in all their wisdom. The house has to decide based on the constitution,” opined Desai before adding, "To the best of my knowledge USBA has never been a member. There is not an iota of proof.” In fact the WAPIZ team were circulating a dated copy of the Fed Newsletter as also membership records where USBA had been indicated as "non-anju” on the address labels. Reiterated Desai, "To avoid anarchy, acrimony, let us follow the spirit of the book.” Addressing Mehta who sought to invoke rule 10, Desai clarified that the president has the "right to rule on a point of order; not against the bylaws of the Federation.”

Dismissing all arguments Mehta declared, "According to me they are members. Those who do not agree can leave.” This created even greater bedlam, shouting across the hall when there were not enough mikes in circulation, thumping of tables. "Are you a dictator sitting here?... You are pushing us to go to court,” an agitated Parakh was the most vocal of all WAPIZ members.

Beseeched Zarsis Udhnawala, president of the Thana Anjuman, "Let us maintain decorum. We come from a respectable community known for maintaining discipline. The chairman has the final authority. We have to obey.”

From left (top): Baman Cama and Rohinton Engineer; (second row) Dadiba Dalal, Pervez Irani, Zarsis Udhnawala; (third row) Adi Engineer, Farroakh Gova-dia and Dinyar Nakra

Zonal representation

For the zonal representatives to be elected for different regions, the nominations received did not exceed the number and hence the following anjumans came in unopposed: Borivli and Suburban Zoroastrian Association and Shri Nagpur and Kamthi Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman from West Zone A; Nargol Parsi Jarthosti Anjuman and Bilimora Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman from West Zone B; Indore Parsi Anjuman, Ajmer Parsi Jarthosti Anjuman, Parsi Anjuman Jhansi, Parsi Anjuman Jabalpur and Parsi Anjuman Mhow from North Zone; and Belgaum Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman from the South Zone.

Lunch break and evening entertainment by Marazban Mehta (top), B. N. Chiniwala (left) and caterer Jimmy Gadiwalla

The next report of the Federation that will appear in Parsiana, March 21, 2012 will dwell on the deliberations concerning FPZAI’s participation in the Global Working Group and the talk by Sarosh Manekshaw that preceded it. The final report in the April 7 issue will refer to the activities of the anjumans, the progress report on the defunct anjumans subcommittee and the other programs of the Federation.