Doongerwadi crisis

Though the crises of a strike by Doongerwadi workers has been averted, there has been no permanent settlement regarding the wage hike for Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) class IV workers. The BPP is not a corporate body where higher income is generated year after year as the market value rises. A 40 or 50% annual raise is not feasible for a charitable trust. The funds have bottomed out and donations have dried up as people have lost faith in the BPP trustees.

Staircase at Doongerwadi linking the lower and upper bunglis

There are about 18 pallbearers from a total of about 220 class IV workers. These are members of the community, performing a very special duty under very trying conditions. We are totally dependent on them for the disposal of dead bodies. We have appreciated their service and never hesitated to support their legitimate demands. It is a shame that they were compelled to join the union to get better remuneration. It is this short-sighted policy of the trustees that has created the critical situation. When the same trustees could fritter away three-and-a-half crore rupees on litigation to punish two priests who perform after death prayers for those who choose alternate methods of disposal, could they not pay a few lakhs to the workers who toil for the community?
A greater cause of concern is not monetary concerns, but the deplorable working environment that needs to be rectified. Besides the horrifying sights of rotting human cadavers and the unbearable stench of decaying bodies causing nausea, the nassessalars have to clean the dakhmas littered with rotting human remains. Working in such a degrading atmosphere no doubt affects their mental and physical health. By providing them with decent service conditions there will be a change in their attitude and behavior.
It is a disgrace that in this age of advanced technology when people strive to live in cleaner, safer and more hygienic environment, the community is continuing with an unhygienic, uncivilized method for disposal of dead bodies resulting in hazards to the environment and nuisance to the neighborhood.
It is sad that most of the acts in the name of religion are contrary to the actual tenets. Our religion is based on the basic principle of ashoi (purity of thought, word and action). By allowing dead bodies to decay we are flouting this principle of our religion. The solar panels are an eyewash to make us believe that all is well.
We need to elect BPP trustees who with their vision can bring benefits to the trusts; people with wise heads on their shoulders who can tactfully settle issues and create an atmosphere of trust and understanding. Today, the language and the behavior of the trustees, in the boardroom and outside, does not qualify them for a second opportunity.
We are gifted with independent minds to be able to think, reason and arrive at our own conclusions. The main and perhaps the only cause of conflict is that we try to impose our views on others. We are followers of an ancient religion which has remained vibrant even today because it is free from dogmas and strictures. Today the community is governed by a bunch of religious fanatics imposing fatwas in the name of religion. Adult franchise gives us the freedom to elect our leaders. The voters should elect the right candidates. A wrong choice will deprive us of the right to freedom. PIROJA HOMI JOKHI
piroja.jokhi@yahoo.com