Good words, good thoughts, good deeds are the tenets of the Zoroastrian religion. Compassion and kindness, of course, are par for the course in the religion; or so we thought.
Sadly, those entrusted with keeping these ideals alive seem to have strayed far from the path.
How else can one explain the Bombay Parsi Punchayet’s (BPP) inhumane, heartless treatment meted out to the family of Rani Nanoo Poonawalla, a resident of Bharucha Baug who expired on June 4, 2019?
Hardly was her funeral over when her nephew found a lock on the door of her flat, to say nothing of the notice stuck on it instructing the BPP staff to get the relatives to vacate the flat immediately. After a gentleman from the Baug spoke to the BPP, five days were sanctioned to remove all her belongings.
Basic decency demands the granting of some time between a funeral and the taking over of the property of the deceased. In this case there was no rush to reclaim the flat which was being returned to the BPP as per the agreement with her.
MEHERNOSH POONAWALLA
mpoonawalla1@gmail.com
The editors reply:
Mehernosh Poonawalla’s letter was sent on June 13, 2019 by email to Bombay Parsi Punchayet chairman Yazdi Desai, requesting a response/clarification from the BPP by June 27. The email was re-sent to him, and copied to all trustees on June 20. Three trustees replied on the same day. Noshir Dadrawala wrote: "I have asked the BPP administration to provide full facts of the case…Thank you for giving BPP the opportunity to respond. Your fairness is much appreciated.” Viraf Mehta replied: "I am not aware of this case details. Did he come to visit the board of trustees? If not, who did he speak with? He can call me if he wishes.” Xerxes Dastur stated: "If Yazdi is responding I won’t. Do let me know as (I) would like to get the facts of the case and the BPP should definitely respond.” Till the time of going to press there has been no official response from Desai.