Some former Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustees and well-wishers of the community drafted a model code of conduct for future elections and sent it to the trustees for approval. But for reasons unknown it was put on hold. As there was no time to obtain approval from the High Court, a voluntary code of conduct has been introduced to ensure free and fair election.
The BPP elections being on a comparatively small scale, we do not need to spend lavishly. With access to the internet, candidates should send to eligible voters of the community their bio-data mentioning educational qualifications, merit and experience, along with their views on community matters and plans for solving problems and working for its welfare.
Assured of remaining in power for seven long years, the trustees become complacent and fail to perform. If their tenure is curtailed to three or maximum four years, the sword of Damocles will hang over their heads, compelling them to deliver.
The trusteeship of an institution of such magnitude requires persons with special abilities and professional skills to handle the affairs of the various funds and properties. In addition to honesty and dedication, the trustees should have the knowledge and ability to govern and manage the trusts and properties. The present trustees are neither capable nor qualified for the task.
As per the verdict of the High Court the BPP trustees have no legal right to interfere in religious matters of the community. This is welcome, as in the name of religion the trustees have taken power into their hands and terrorized the community.
On grounds of religion we are compelled to leave the dead bodies of our relatives to rot and decay in the non functioning dakhmas. Even the dead bodies of stray animals are taken care of by the civic bodies, while we are denied the right to give decent and dignified disposal to family members. In the name of religion we are denied access to community prayer halls for performing the last rites of members of our community. Priests are punished and debarred for performing such prayers. This makes a mockery of our great religion.
There is so much mess created by the present board that honest, dedicated people of true merit and professional skills will be required to work in coordination to preserve and protect the dignity of our prestigious institution. Let us adopt a more liberal and progressive approach, think rationally and come out of the narrow minded conservative dungeon of orthodoxy to an open, free and liberal path of peace and freedom.
Now is the time to discard outdated dogmas and vote for peace, progress and prosperity! PIROJA HOMI JOKHI
piroja.jokhi@yahoo.com
Since seven trustees need to be elected to serve for seven years, the first seven elected ones should serve as trustees while the eighth and ninth candidates should be placed on a wait list to fill any future vacancy caused by the unfortunate demise or resignation of a sitting trustee. This would help to save both time and money. Also, the seven-year tenure should be curtailed to five as in the case of our Parliament and Assembly elections.
We should also have some forum to resolve the internal issues of the elected trustees so that they do not rush to the courts to settle such matters which is giving our community a bad name. We should introduce some restrictions regarding taking community issues to the courts. VIRAF M. MIRZAN
virafmirzan@hotmail.com