I agree with Mehroo Kharegat ("A second arm,” Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, June 21-July 6, 2019) that discrimination against professional pallbearers and treating them like an untouchable caste must be stopped immediately. The prayers performed by priests for the dead are negated by such segregation.
All forms of discrimination, whether against pallbearers, women or behdins who volunteer to serve as priests, are sinful as our religion believes in the equality of all human beings. Excuses made under the guise of mystical explanations like the rays (Frado) emanating from persons of different castes must be rejected. White supremacists have also made similar excuses about their racial superiority to preserve their privileged positions and sinned in doing so.
Mahatma Gandhi campaigned to end casteism, especially against people designated as untouchables. We too should be brave like him and break down racism based on family lineage.
MANECK BHUJWALA
California, USA
mbhujwala@socal.rr.com
The editors reply:
In other communities there are no professional pallbearers, to the best of our knowledge. Family members, friends, volunteers carry the body. So also in small anjumans. Many have a bier on wheels (gehan) to transport the body from the bungli to the dakhma. For burials, grave diggers assist in lowering the coffin into the grave. In crematoria, if required, the staff that oversees the functioning of the crematoria assist in placing the corpse on the rails leading to the furnace.