Disharmony in BPP
The community had great expectations from the new board of trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) who speedily cleared the pending income tax files, got the ban on allotment of housing lifted, reached an amicable settlement with the union and started the process of allotment in right earnest. It seemed things had started moving in the right direction and an atmosphere of trust and goodwill was building up. But our hopes were shattered on finding disharmony creeping in among the trustees and things started going back to the old ways.
The controversial allotment of a free flat to a wealthy doctor created ripples in the community. In spite of the doctor being adequately housed, the flat was hastily transferred by the trustees causing loss to the trust and great disappointment to the community. If former BPP chairman Dinshaw Mehta is charged with nepotism, the same charge of favoritism can be applicable to the present board for this allotment.
The prior alleged advertising ban on the community’s mouthpiece Jam-e-Jamshed raised a lot of criticism from the community. BPP trustee Kersi Randeria took over management of the publication, resulting in gagging the voice of the community. During the election campaign, Randeria had mentioned some property at Khareghat Colony which could generate huge funds. The Parsi Lying-In Hospital, a precious asset of the community, is lying in a dilapidated state since decades. It was to be converted into an orthopedic hospital generating huge income and additional benefits of free treatment for the community. But this was scuttled (by Mehta). The duty of the trustees is to preserve, protect and enhance the funds and properties of the BPP and use them judiciously to benefit the weaker section of the community.
Since the time when Mehta’s strategy brought a surprise win for Armaity Tirandaz, and a defeat of the popular candidate Arnavaz Mistry, the atmosphere in the boardroom has become hostile. The shady Dady House deal was exposed with evidence of recordings produced before the media to nail Mehta. It seemed this time there was no respite for the master strategist.
The community has earlier witnessed the Mehta clan using their muscle power, but it was shocking to see the other party retaliating with equal venom. If a little restraint had been shown, the entire episode that disgraced the community could have been avoided.
The culprits are the trustees who in earlier good times were referred to as akabars, the most respected stalwarts of the community. If this is the way our leaders settle their scores, what will be the future of the community?
From the early days punchayets were formed to solve community problems amicably and without the intervention of courts. Since the election by adult franchise the trustees have constantly created problems and tarnished the image of the community. They have now assaulted their opponents. It is a slap on the face of the community and brought the peace loving gentle community in the category of roadside goondas.
How long has the community to take the blame for the wrongdoings of their leaders? How are we to find leaders who will be the pride of the community? All the merit our ancestors earned to make us proud Parsis is now lost. Others say, "Tum Parsi lok aisa karta hai (You Parsis behave like this)?” We have no reply.
It is high time we take firm steps to redeem our prestige. Such incidents should never ever recur. The only way left is to frame a constitution legalizing a code of conduct and punish the guilty. The stalwarts of the community had drafted a code of conduct for the election, but for obvious reasons the trustees delayed the matter and ultimately a voluntary code which had no statutory backing was introduced. This code was violated openly, but no action could be taken.
Now it is time for action. This is an opportunity for people to offer their services to the community and become the Babasaheb Ambedkars of the Parsi community. Once we are bound by a logical code of conduct there will be order and discipline, all conflicts will be resolved and there will be permanent peace and harmony. It will not be as difficult as we surmise. Our community members who migrated to other countries have adopted a broader outlook of non-interference and live peacefully and harmoniously. Why can’t we take a lesson from them?
PIROJA HOMI JOKHI
piroja.jokhi@gmail.com
The editors reply:
The country has a code of conduct for elections, but violations take place, nevertheless.