“Men in May”

"Men in May"

I would like to differ with Porus Dadabhoy in the context of the Zoroastrian religion being male oriented while agreeing with him that women are treated as second class citizens ("Men in May," Reader’s Forum, Parsiana, June 21, 2018).

Religion per se does not discriminate between genders. Nearly all religions have female deities, as important as male. In the Zoroastrian religion we have three female Amesha Spentas among the seven, viz. Spandarmad (Av. Spenta Armaiti); Khordad (Av. Haurvatat); Amardad (Av. Ameretat). Additionally there are other deities among the yazatas, as can be seen in our calendar. We have Avan, Ashishvangh, Ashtad, Deen, Rashna, Teshtar Tir, Zamyad plus other little known yazatas viz, Ahurani, Chishti, Dravasp, Erethe, Parendi, Rata, etc whom we revere and even have Yashts and Nyaishes dedicated to them.

In the general context, in this male dominated world even God is addressed as ‘He’ not only in India but even in the liberal countries like the USA and UK.

I would not cast aspersions on Parsiana’s reporting. In many issues we find women being rightly portrayed in their true light. Even in the June 21 issue a write-up on Awat Darya, ("I will not budge") is given prominence as also Nargis Mistry ("Restoring izzat"). How can we say Parsiana is biased?

Women rightly demand, as they should, equality with males! But on the other hand they enjoy special reservations like ‘Ladies only’ seats in buses, ‘Ladies only’ compartments and ‘Ladies only’ trains. While the ladies can sit anywhere in different modes of public transport, a male cannot occupy a seat in the ‘Reserved for ladies’ category. Is this not discrimination?

BURJOR DABOO

Ahmedabad

burkhurdar@gmail.com

The editors reply

Zoroastrianism does not discriminate against women, but sadly most Parsis do.