We have remained a closed shop for centuries following the prolonged persecution by the Arab conquerors in Iran, as also in India. During the 190-year British rule and 70 years after Independence, we have faced no intrusion or persecution. There’s no reason to be a closed shop by not permitting non-Parsis entry to our fire temples.
The most obnoxious closed shop attitude persists at our Towers of Silence where we segregate the Parsi and non-Parsi assemblage, and deny the non-Parsis a glimpse of the faces of our dead. Are their glances going to obstruct the "onward journey" of our dead? Are our prayers so feeble? The non-Parsis are annoyed about our intolerant practices but are decent enough not to object.
The creation of the Prayer Hall at Worli where even non Parsis can have the funeral prayers is a very good thing. There is no segregation at the two halls. Non Parsis perform the sezdo, along with Parsis, and offer firewood and lobaan. This progressive institution is thanks to Jamsheed Kanga, Homi Khusrokhan, Dinshaw Tamboly and the A. H. Wadia Trust.
Another visible advancement is in Poona with the creation of the year-old Asha Vahishta, The Zoroastrian Centre where entry is granted to spouses/offspring of interfaith marriages and others. It owes its existence to several donors and brothers Vispy and Kerssie Wadia of the Association for Revival of Zoroastrianism.
There are several references in the scriptures to ours being a universal religion. It is high time the Doongerwadis and fire temples revered our scriptures, and stopped being wittingly blind. The Bombay Parsi Punchayet should take the lead but it is a house so badly divided against itself that we don’t see it taking a scriptural and moral lead. Let the agiaries/atash behrams in Bombay and elsewhere instead take the lead and break the shackles.
BEHRAM T. DASTUR