Till I read "Property proposals and protests” (Parsiana, April 21, 2013) I was not aware that my grandfather, the late Burjor S. J. Aga, was a founder member/office bearer or in any way connected with the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman (IZA) or the land in Palghar which is now proposed to be sold. He must be feeling so sad watching all this disgusting tamasha (public drama) that has unfolded and will continue for long.
I have read about this in the Parsi Press and the protests appear to have more cacophony than substance. Quite a few arguments/issues raised appear to be specious or mischievous.
The allegation that the bidder/purchaser is the relative of a TADA [Terrorists and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act] detenue, and therefore undesirable, defies logic. If I am a criminal can anyone have the right to condemn and tar with the same brush members of my family, relatives and friends? Is this not absurd logic?
It is queried what the guarantee is that the purchaser will pay up? Are these people trying to say that the land will be handed over to the purchaser without receiving the full payment? On what basis is this argument or fear put forth? Are the people at the helm of affairs so naïve?
One weekly trumpets: "Recipe for disaster. Zero transparency and brash behavior.”
For transparency it is on record that due process was followed and even Mehrwan Irani, then IZA chairman was in favor of selling the land. It is also on record that bids were invited and one of them was selected. What more do people want by way of transparency?
The history of the land in Palghar speaks for itself. In the past this land has been taken away from the Iranis on one pretext or the other, and the fear of history repeating itself is genuine and a distinct possibility. That apart, legal opinion was also obtained from a retired Supreme Court judge. So to castigate the committee and cast aspersions on it is nothing short of a witch-hunt.
The grouse of the weekly was that lawyers and reporters were not allowed at the deliberations. Do trustees of trust funds attend meetings accompanied by their lawyers and solicitors? As for reporters, it is not their birthright to gatecrash anywhere and everywhere. Some functions are exclusive and private and the Press is not allowed. Does the Press attend every meeting of the trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, or for that matter meetings of all anjumans?
Also, there are quite a few assumptions/presumptions and guesswork that prices will shoot up. It is said that a bird in hand is better than two in the bush. The fear of the land being usurped and the cost of protecting it from the land mafia is quite real as we often read about such things in the Parsi Press.
The bottom line is that the Iranis have fought among themselves and the matter is likely to end up in court. Until it is decided, Parsis/Iranis should take time out to read the story of the cats and a monkey where the two fighting cats were deprived of their food by the monkey.
So, chaalo taari peeva (let’s go to drink toddy in) Palghar and Dahanu.
BEHRAM AGA
behram_r_aga@yahoo.co.in