“The trials of time”

In the Kobad Ghandy affair, it seems from the latest correspondence that Parsis are more concerned with drawing up inappropriate comparisons, and even reaching for the best definitions of mass murder ("The trials of time,” Parsiana, April 7, 2014). Comparisons and distractions are both odious. Doubtless, if unchecked, we will be drawn into racial and gender inequality rows and goodness alone knows where we might end up! Lists of riot-incited murders, noyades (execution by drowning), pogroms, genocides and holocausts throughout history might well absorb those into much unhealthy preoccupations with such fascinatingly hair-splitting matters.
The matter at hand, however, is surely and solely Ghandy’s enforced incarceration. And while charges are being properly and provenly formulated — not fabricated — it makes no sense not to release Ghandy on bail. The undersigned is far likelier to abscond to the moon on a bicycle than Ghandy is to skip bail. There are compelling reasons for this release, among which his precarious health coupled with the age factor must count against the blatant withholding of his basic human rights as guaranteed by the Constitution of India. Here is rank injustice!
Simply because Ghandy to date has bravely managed to keep his spirits up is no reason for fecklessness or complacency.
The seamy side of Parsiism showed itself when an unemployable, unmarriageable specimen recently piped up with "He (Ghandy) should have known what he was doing” (!), followed by "He was out-married, wasn’t he?” (The "out-married” bit was very crudely put; genteel readers are spared its foul language.) FARROKH VAJIFDAR
London
f.vajifdar@btinternet.com