It is a well known fact that Dinshaw Mehta and Kersi Randeria of the AZA (Alert Zoroastrians Association) are arch rivals. However, in the matter of the housing problem of 104 poor applicants, they tried to solve the issue by peaceful negotiations to avoid a great tragedy in the community. If this had gone through, Parsis would have given them a pat on the back, but two trustees from WAPIZ (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis) who could not tolerate their alliance, threw a spanner in the works and created a disaster for the poor applicants. Their ploy is to see Mehta and Randeria fight so that WAPIZ can rule and dictate to the board. Mehta, though shrewd, does not seem to understand this!
We could have gone to the High Court on the happy note that the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and AZA had solved the housing problem and did not require the services of a retired judge. Justice Srikrishna who was appointed by the High Court has resigned and Justice Hosbet Suresh has taken over. This will further drain the community’s funds. WAPIZ alleges that since Randeria has filed various cases against the BPP, they cannot work peacefully. This was challenged by Randeria who asked for proof, but the accusers fled.
I fail to understand why Mehta is afraid of Mistree and Desai despite having a majority of four other trustees including Noshir Dadrawala on the housing matter. Everybody knows that Desai does not spare time for board meetings and is present for just 15-20 minutes to mark his presence. What happened to the transparency about which they were trumpeting from the rooftops at election time? Jimmy Mistry, the handsome biryani-falooda trustee, is a sweet talker. He had once promised the poor applicants that he would take up the matter himself and conclude it in 40 days. Everybody clapped, after which Mistry did the vanishing trick. Will Mistry even now show his mettle and receive the blessings of the poor and needy?
PHIROZ BULSARA