“Shocking” piece
It was shocking to see your editorial "Building and breaking barriers” (Parsiana, May 21, 2016) reprinted in Mumbai Mirror of June 4, 2016 under the title "A Parsi Trupti please,” which disgraced Parsis and highlighted some issues that are internal to the community. At any point of time every community has some matters concerning their religious practices on which its members have differences. Is it our intent to make ourselves the subject of ridicule amongst the public at large? Or worse still, is your article an invitation to members of other communities to interfere in matters pertaining to Parsis? There are Parsi publications including your own esteemed periodical Parsiana where diverse viewpoints can be aired within the community. Are we trying to bring pressure from external agencies on sections of our own people to force the pace of change? Such actions would be most undesirable.
The news these days frequently shows opportunists who lead agitations, ostensibly on social and religious issues, only to serve their own political interest. Let us not fall prey to such pressure tactics. Overzealous extremists, whether of the orthodox or reformist category, are equally damaging as they are two sides of the same coin. The majority of Parsis would like a policy that fosters harmony and a live and let live approach. Enlightened persons should be actively contributing to narrowing down the differences. Change has to begin from within us.
ADI ENGINEER
Poona
adiengr@hotmail.com
The editors reply:
The Mumbai Mirror requested permission to reprint the editorial and we readily and gladly agreed.
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I was extremely pleased to read the editor’s article reprinted in Mumbai Mirror of June 4, 2016 under the title "A Parsi Trupti please,” regarding inter-marriage and the lack of active female voices in our community about it. Being the most prominent magazine in our community, a voice like yours is an important one, especially to bring about change or reforms as urgently as they are needed.
JENAINA IRANI
jenainairani@gmail.com
Our community matters should be well guarded n kept within the community.let us not become a laughing stock. not only that, we will lose the respect we held amongst others.Why should we take our troubles to others ? aren't we capable of tackling our own issues n solving our own problems. In my opinion, we love to create problems. Why should we deliberately do so? The Ultra-mods can do whatever they wish, the way they wish, without insisting or indirectly compelling the traditionals, by insulting them calling them "Dhongis", Remember we must, that it is because of these strict rules, we survive today; or we would have been siphoned off in the main-stream ..becoming either Hindus, Muslims or Christians. if wish we to part, let us part amicably.Like the cremation Hall, build New Agiyaris where the Mods can worship the way they wish. Let us use our commonsense, if we cannot use wisdom; and part in a friendly way. Armin Dutia Motashaw.