Readers' Forum
“Marxist’s mini-memoir”
It is my wish to be fully associated with Malcolm R. Printer’s powerful plea in "Marxist’s mini-memoir” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, November 21, 2013) for justice towards the shamefully neglected Kobad Ghandy who has languished for four years in Tihar jail without charges being framed. ("Framed” is used here for fictitious and frivolous accusations which must inevitably surface from the prosecuting authorities.)
It is very plain that Ghandy has been "stitched-up” by several colluding parties whose interests are doubtless best served through his incarceration by self-promoted forces of Indian "democracy.”
Kobad Ghandy: shamefully neglected
Ghandy himself had submitted an admirable précis of his Zoroastrian ideals titled "On the side of good” (Parsiana, August 7, 2013). Uncomfortable as it must seem to some readers who have never shown any interest in his sorry state, his authority for the sentiments expressed in that article is, in fact, clearly delineated in our most sacred prayer of the Yatha Ahu Vairyo (YAV).
Without troubling to understand any of it, our self-righteous ones have reduced the prayer to a mantra to be repeated five times and closed off with three Ashem vohus complete with uncomprehended, mispronounced and absurdly repeated words — for them it is an all-powerful tavid (amulet)! Well and good if they wish to self-delude. The reality is very different: it is a wonderfully noble-minded declaration intended for universal application.
The chief thrust of the YAV (Ys.27.13) is that all earthly spiritual guides proceed in accord with Truth and Good Mind for life’s actions dedicated to Ahura Mazda. Fully in consonance with Zarathushtra’s teachings, with its particularly telling last line, is Ghandy’s honest perspective: "... to which one is appointed for alleviating the poor/ the underprivileged/ the dispossessed” — a yim drigubyo dadat vastaram!
Are Ghandy’s Marxist-Maoist beliefs and ideology, pertaining to the deprived of east and south India, so very divergent from our YAV? Is his vision of a future world, ideally free from all evils and where goodness reigns throughout (as in Ys.30.9, etc.) seen as some threat to national security? Are we all Marxists-Maoists for adhering to Zoroastrian tenets?
Will Parsi lawyers fearlessly take up at the earliest the case of Ghandy’s neglected condition? His health is reportedly precarious, his solitary status now as widower of some years making it even more abysmal. To make an example of a talented man by this shoddy procrastination is a disgrace to Indian jurisprudence and a blatant affront to its penal code: India’s Constitution rules, OK? What Constitution?
It has been noted that former Tihar fellow-internees have been "sprung” from detention by professionals with legalistic backgrounds.
When will some determined Parsi legal muscles be flexed in Ghandy’s case? A decent starting point would be to have charges properly laid before the appropriate courts. This plea is addressed to them on humanitarian grounds in support of his human rights for release under bail until such charges have been properly investigated — and forthrightly disproven.
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