In my letter "Beginning of the end” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, May 7-20, 2023) I had written about the confrontation between the orthodox athornan (priestly) Parsi community and some local non-Parsi residents who sought admission in the local Parsi run school, which ultimately resulted in its closure. A few more instances come to mind.
A priest whom I had consulted at the height of the controversy had commented that to emphasize the highest degree of purity in our religion, our own girls are considered untouchable during menses, isolated and not allowed to attend school. Even after the delivery of babies, women have to observe a period of 40 days in isolation.
Illustration by Farzana Cooper
In this context, I am reminded of an incident when Udvada got electricity. The trustees of the Maternity Hospital wanted to install electricity in the Hospital but the question of purity arose. What if a woman in the Hospital and a priest at his residence put on the light switches at their respective places at the same time? Would they not be connected in some way by the wired system?
The problem was solved by constructing a small cabin outside the Hospital premises that would accommodate the switchboard of the entire institution, making it impossible for any woman to access a switch. A panel was appointed to approve of the system. After visiting the site, one member was heard commenting, "The very dynamo is separate!”
This is written in lighter vein to show to what extent firm believers in the faith could go!