Editorial Viewpoint
What people believe
While the speeches and discussions at the ever changing Tenth World Zoroastrian Congress program will mainly deal with subjects previously covered, not much new empirical data appears in the offing. Numerous panellists have been crowded into short spans of time, and those speakers allotted individual slots will hopefully provide depth and understanding on global community issues.
Thus the findings of a survey commissioned by Parsiana on the Bombay community should be of interest. As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we commissioned the reputed Hansa Research Group (HRG) which conducted the Indian Readership Survey for five years and is mainly owned by R. K. Swamy-BBDO, to take a poll of the local Zoroastrian community to ascertain their views on current issues. HRG scientifically selected 500 Parsis/Iranis from around the 29,163 general voters and 1,186 donor voters registered on the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) electoral rolls. Four hundred and fifty voters were shortlisted from the general list and 50 from the donor register. Where required the raw data was given proportionate weightage to ensure a fair representation of the interviewees’ view.
The objective was to try and arrive at as impartial as possible and fair assessment of the local community’s opinions. Accordingly both the interviewer and the interviewees were not informed as to who had commissioned the study. Some parties shortlisted refused to be interviewed unless informed of the sponsor. Where the person was not available at the address stated or had expired, they were substituted by others. The BPP list is not always up-to-date, an anomaly the trust will have to correct before the 2015 trusteeship elections. The researchers selected for the research were bilingual in English and Gujarati.
The questionnaire dealt with the community’s views on the BPP, religion, interfaith marriages, disposal of the dead and a few other subjects. The survey did not throw up many surprises but it helped to quantify the degree of the opinions and beliefs held. When asked how they viewed the performance of the BPP, 36% of the respondents from the general list said "good” and two percent, "very good.” At the other end 17% stated "very poor,” 14% "poor,” and 30% average.
Interestingly, the donor sample polled gave the BPP a higher rating,with 59% responding with a "good” and 13% "very good.” One must keep in mind that several on the donor register have had their donations to the BPP paid for them by aspiring candidates and political parties to bolster electoral numbers. Hence some donor voters may have felt an obligation to give a higher rating to the trustees. Donors’ votes count for two as versus the general register which has a one person, one vote ratio.
Sixty-eight percent of the respondents felt the seven-year term of the BPP trustees was "too long” while 25% believed it was "just right.” When asked what they felt was the appropriate length, 78% put the time span between three to five years.
In support of adult franchise, 89% stated "all” should elect the trustees. Among the donor group only 63% shared this sentiment.
Ninety-four percent wanted the BPP to "build more houses.”
Sixty-four percent claimed they performed the muktad ceremonies for the dead, with the mean period of time being five years.
Eighty-one percent said women should not be "permitted to become mobeds.”
As regards "Should children of a Parsi woman married to a non-Parsi be considered Parsi,” 58% said "no,” while 40% favored the proposal. Interestingly in the 18 to 25 age bracket, 53% replied "yes.” Of those supporting the proposition, 80% were in favor of "permit(ting),” the children’s navjote to be performed.
Sixty-six percent felt that Parsi women married under the Special Marriage Act and who continue to profess the Zoroastrian faith should be allowed to enter the fire temples. Ninety-one percent believed "she be allowed to have her body consigned to Doongerwadi.”
Regarding preference for disposal of the dead, 67% opted for dakhmenashini, 28% for cremation, two percent for burial and three percent listed "no response.” The figures are fairly consistent over the various age groups. Sixty-two percent favored an aviary being built at Doongerwadi to breed vultures.
Seventy-nine percent favored prayers be recited for those opting for cremation with 80% supporting the "provision” of a bungli for those choosing cremation.
Parsiana will carry the full poll results in a forthcoming issue. The results were received only on December 21, not leaving enough time to prepare the material for publication in this issue.
The poll results show a community at the crossroads. While many traditional values have been endorsed, one can detect an undercurrent favoring reforms.
As this is the first such survey whose results have been published, it should be treated as a starting point. Subsequent surveys will show how accurate the findings are and the degree of variation over time.
The poll results are not sacrosanct. The sample size was 500 in a Bombay Parsi population of 40,000 or so and was restricted to names drawn from the electoral rolls. The number of questions were limited as the time for each interview was restricted to 15 to 20 minutes, due to budgetary consideration. A limited amount has been set aside for such activities during our 50th anniversary celebrations. But the community must not wait another 50 years for the next scientific study. Many more such polls at regular periods must be conducted. An all-India or a global poll should also be on the anvil.
But for now this poll will hopefully present a scientific basis from which to approach community issues. The Congress is the appropriate forum to mull over these findings.
Thus the findings of a survey commissioned by Parsiana on the Bombay community should be of interest. As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we commissioned the reputed Hansa Research Group (HRG) which conducted the Indian Readership Survey for five years and is mainly owned by R. K. Swamy-BBDO, to take a poll of the local Zoroastrian community to ascertain their views on current issues. HRG scientifically selected 500 Parsis/Iranis from around the 29,163 general voters and 1,186 donor voters registered on the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) electoral rolls. Four hundred and fifty voters were shortlisted from the general list and 50 from the donor register. Where required the raw data was given proportionate weightage to ensure a fair representation of the interviewees’ view.
The objective was to try and arrive at as impartial as possible and fair assessment of the local community’s opinions. Accordingly both the interviewer and the interviewees were not informed as to who had commissioned the study. Some parties shortlisted refused to be interviewed unless informed of the sponsor. Where the person was not available at the address stated or had expired, they were substituted by others. The BPP list is not always up-to-date, an anomaly the trust will have to correct before the 2015 trusteeship elections. The researchers selected for the research were bilingual in English and Gujarati.
The questionnaire dealt with the community’s views on the BPP, religion, interfaith marriages, disposal of the dead and a few other subjects. The survey did not throw up many surprises but it helped to quantify the degree of the opinions and beliefs held. When asked how they viewed the performance of the BPP, 36% of the respondents from the general list said "good” and two percent, "very good.” At the other end 17% stated "very poor,” 14% "poor,” and 30% average.
Interestingly, the donor sample polled gave the BPP a higher rating,with 59% responding with a "good” and 13% "very good.” One must keep in mind that several on the donor register have had their donations to the BPP paid for them by aspiring candidates and political parties to bolster electoral numbers. Hence some donor voters may have felt an obligation to give a higher rating to the trustees. Donors’ votes count for two as versus the general register which has a one person, one vote ratio.
Sixty-eight percent of the respondents felt the seven-year term of the BPP trustees was "too long” while 25% believed it was "just right.” When asked what they felt was the appropriate length, 78% put the time span between three to five years.
In support of adult franchise, 89% stated "all” should elect the trustees. Among the donor group only 63% shared this sentiment.
Ninety-four percent wanted the BPP to "build more houses.”
Sixty-four percent claimed they performed the muktad ceremonies for the dead, with the mean period of time being five years.
Eighty-one percent said women should not be "permitted to become mobeds.”
As regards "Should children of a Parsi woman married to a non-Parsi be considered Parsi,” 58% said "no,” while 40% favored the proposal. Interestingly in the 18 to 25 age bracket, 53% replied "yes.” Of those supporting the proposition, 80% were in favor of "permit(ting),” the children’s navjote to be performed.
Sixty-six percent felt that Parsi women married under the Special Marriage Act and who continue to profess the Zoroastrian faith should be allowed to enter the fire temples. Ninety-one percent believed "she be allowed to have her body consigned to Doongerwadi.”
Regarding preference for disposal of the dead, 67% opted for dakhmenashini, 28% for cremation, two percent for burial and three percent listed "no response.” The figures are fairly consistent over the various age groups. Sixty-two percent favored an aviary being built at Doongerwadi to breed vultures.
Seventy-nine percent favored prayers be recited for those opting for cremation with 80% supporting the "provision” of a bungli for those choosing cremation.
Parsiana will carry the full poll results in a forthcoming issue. The results were received only on December 21, not leaving enough time to prepare the material for publication in this issue.
The poll results show a community at the crossroads. While many traditional values have been endorsed, one can detect an undercurrent favoring reforms.
As this is the first such survey whose results have been published, it should be treated as a starting point. Subsequent surveys will show how accurate the findings are and the degree of variation over time.
The poll results are not sacrosanct. The sample size was 500 in a Bombay Parsi population of 40,000 or so and was restricted to names drawn from the electoral rolls. The number of questions were limited as the time for each interview was restricted to 15 to 20 minutes, due to budgetary consideration. A limited amount has been set aside for such activities during our 50th anniversary celebrations. But the community must not wait another 50 years for the next scientific study. Many more such polls at regular periods must be conducted. An all-India or a global poll should also be on the anvil.
But for now this poll will hopefully present a scientific basis from which to approach community issues. The Congress is the appropriate forum to mull over these findings.
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From the archive