The community is fed up with the state of affairs in the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) run by the remote control. Candidates for the trusteeship elections scheduled for May 29, 2022 can publish their manifesto on posters or through Parsi publications or hold Zoom meetings to interact with the voters. Arrangements should be made for online voting as well.
People of dignity and talent shy away from entering this murky arena. Since 2008, the first time we voted under universal adult franchise, we rejected persons of merit and voted in orthodoxy. This has hampered our progress and created conflicts in the community. Crores of rupees of public charity funds have been frittered away on fruitless litigations, emptying the coffers of the trust and depriving the poor and the needy.
Each election drains about Rs 40 lakhs from the BPP treasury. Hopefully that may be reduced to some extent.
Trusteeship is a position of power and prestige. It requires stellar qualities to be a trustee. Power that comes from service rendered makes a person kinder, more compassionate and benevolent in judging others with patience and tolerance. When the love of power dominates, a person becomes arrogant, selfish, ruthless and intolerant. So, while voting, consider talent, select peace lovers and beware of warmongers who seek trusteeship for personal gains or to settle personal scores with their adversaries.
When working as a group, differences are bound to occur; but when everyone works for a common benevolent cause, differences can be set aside to achieve the goal.
The trustees should manage the trust and the properties and leave matters of religion to be tackled by the authorities concerned. People should have freedom to exercise their personal and religious rights.
Many of our community members are mature, progressive, responsible and broad-minded. Our religion is based on righteousness and gives us the freedom to follow our hearts. Will Ahura Mazda be pleased with the way we are practicing the religion today?
Why can’t we learn a lesson from our own community members who have migrated to other countries and live in peace like an extended family, praying together and partying together?
Sweep out the old; bring in the new.
PIROJA HOMI JOKHI
piroja.jokhi@gmail.com