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With eight candidates in the fray for the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trusteeship elections to be held on March 14, 2021, social media is abuzz with attacks and counter-attacks. The front runners as of today are Anahita Desai and Berjis Desai. How many of the other hopefuls — Tehmtan Dumasia, Dr Zuleika Homavazir, Adil Irani, Farhanaz Irani, Kaikhushroo Irani, Kersi Sethna —  mount an effective campaign is uncertain.
Of the eight candidates Parsiana approached, requesting a copy of their manifesto and photo, six complied. In the case of the remaining two, one said he did not wish to make false promises and the other did not respond at all despite reminders.
The first to confirm her candidature was Anahita Desai, wife of erstwhile BPP chairman Yazdi Desai and chief executive officer (CEO) of the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ). As compared to the two prior elections that Anahita had contested and lost, this time she has been spared from direct or indirect vociferous attacks and appears to be in a commanding position.
The prime target currently is the once reformist turned conservative senior lawyer Berjis Desai. He is under attack from the orthodox for marrying non-Parsis (his first wife died in childbirth) and for his statement, "Rather late in life, I have a strong inner conviction that our traditional values have to be preserved. I shall not deviate in the slightest from any time honored practice concerning our religious way of life.”
Known for his legal expertise in conflict resolution, Berjis would appear to be one of the most capable candidates. But just as he has strong supporters, equally raucous are his detractors. To reflect the "utter unsuitability” of Berjis, the Traditional Zoroastrians Mailing List (TZML) administrators circulated an "important notice” on February 1, 2021 to unequivocally declare that they would not "accept him as a prodigal son but more of a bin bulayé méhman (uninvited visitor).” They faulted him for "trying to reform the community since 1980.” To them, "that stain of twice intermarried will have to be borne by him lifetime” and he makes "a very very bad role model… Our assets, our heritage, our very survival is all supremely dependent on us marrying within the community… Our most important asset, the Parsi tokham, is being endangered through mixed marriage and you do not blink even an eye nor list it amongst the dangers.”
The Parsee Voice too refused to accept the new desciption of Berjis as "a reformist turned orthodox with a new found affinity towards Doongerwadi.” They were irked by his talk at the 11th  World Zoroastrian Congress in Perth in 2018 on "Intelligent Conservatism can improve survival prospects” wherein he stated that a navjoted child of a Parsi mother and a non-Parsi father should be "welcomed” and the "offensive” practice of not showing the face of a deceased Parsi to a non-Parsi should be discontinued.
The candidature of Dr Zuleika Homavazir, an educationist, is being challenged on the grounds that her  name was proposed by Rustomji Nanabhoy Jeejeebhoy who, it is alleged, professes the Christian faith and is not a Parsi Zoroastrian as is required by the scheme of elections.
On her part, Homavazir has questioned the validity of the voters list. She maintained that "the names of departed souls have yet not been removed from the voters list since 2014, as also voters have been issued multiple voter IDs (identities) having different registration numbers. This could lead to possible fraudulent acts during the upcoming elections.” Having brought this to the notice of the BPP chief executive officer and trustees, she threatened, "If the same is not rectified soon, I shall be compelled to move the High Court to ensure that elections are conducted in the just manner and the rights of our community members and the interest of the community affairs are protected at all times.” She further complained that despite paying Rs 300 for an "updated CD, on inspection (it) has the same erroneous data as the one supplied to us earlier.”
Requesting her to "specify the details of such alleged instances,” BPP CEO Aspi Sarkari added, "Please note that the administration has always endeavored its best to keep the register of voters rectified and updated from time to time as per the information available to the trust. Please also note that any ill advised litigation initiated will be defended at your risk as to the costs.” In end January she was criticized by former BPP chairman Dinshaw Mehta for "committing a fraud on BPP and community by her illegal claim of ownership of her flat” and filing a number of cases against the BPP. Homavazir dismissed the allegation stating, "Your initial barrage regarding my three flats which eventually turned to one flat remains unresolved. You were challenged to publicly present one document bearing my signature proving leave and licence. What are you waiting for?”
Caterer Tehmtan Dumasia who has filed his candidature was disturbed by "some extremely untrue facts” being circulated on social media but felt proud that "I must be a strong contender for someone to fear and come out with such fake news and start a campaign against me before I even started campaigning myself.”
"Why such a hurry to hold elections?” questioned one social media post. Even in the absence of then BPP trustees Muncherji Cama, Zarir Bhathena and Yazdi Desai, "the (horror) show still carried on,” reminded the anonymous post fearing elections during the pandemic is likely to cause "risk to an individual voter’s life... The efforts baugs have taken to safeguard themselves over the past nine months will go down the gutter.” (The BPP trustees were debating whether election meets by candidates should be permitted in the baugs — editors)
How will a large turnout be controlled? Will contact tracing records be maintained? If a voter shows signs of infection, will he/she be stopped from exercising his right to vote? "Trustees must inform the community of the plan of action... Or perhaps that was not thought about with the idea that there would be no elections and the two favored candidates of the trustees would be elected unopposed.”
 In the coming four weeks while the BPP continues to receive flak, and the candidates fire fresh salvos, in this issue Parsiana is carrying a summary of the accomplishments and priorities of the candidates in alphabetical order, as gleaned from their manifestoes/statements:

Anahita Desai
"I have the commitment and dedication to deal with community issues on an everyday basis. I have seen the workings of the Punchayet at close quarters and I understand the enormous work required of a trustee and the uphill task one has to face.
"My manifesto does not have grandiose promises and nor am I painting ideal scenarios because one has to take into account the ground reality, the probability of lack of support on the board, the financial constraints of the institution, the level of professionalism of the staff, the Class IV workers being unionized, etc. However I can say with certainty that I will leave no stone unturned to take forward every worthy project of the BPP and help the deserving of our community through the BPP.”
Anahita also sought to reassure those who wonder why she wants to be a trustee despite knowing that the accompanying stress took a toll on Yazdi’s health: "My husband was juggling a demanding job as a director of a company together with the responsibilities of being the BPP chairman and was constantly dealing with the unpredictable and unsavory politics prevalent in the BPP. I do not have any career obligations and responsibilities and I will have the luxury to devote my time to the office of the BPP... The post of a BPP trustee allows one to do much more than is possible when one is working from outside the BPP.”
Known to be accessible (mob: 9820284196; email: anahitadesai1@gmail.com), the 55-year-old has been helping community members for the last 20 years. In addition to the social work undertaken through WAPIZ, she is a trustee of the Sodawaterwalla Agiary and the Machi Fund, and is on the Ladies Committee of the F. S. Parukh Dharamshala. Her interactions through The Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) have helped her build a rapport with representatives from all over India. She is prepared to devote six to eight hours daily to community work, and believes in "working towards a solution with pragmatism and without fear or favor.” To ensure that worthy projects approved by the board are duly implemented she would like to introduce a tracker system to monitor the progress.
She is committed to safeguarding Doongerwadi (having recently coordinated for the renovation of bunglis there) as also preserving the traditions and practices of the Zarthoshti religion, working for the welfare of mobeds,  providing housing on priority for deserving newly married couples and full time mobeds, offering medical financial aid and care to the poor and senior citizens. "The pandemic has left many in our community without employment and an effective employment bureau is the need of the hour.” She is keen to set up a dharamshala in Bombay that offers affordable, clean, comfortable accommodation to visiting Parsis.
"The BPP needs to be active on social media so that an informed view and the position of the BPP can be presented to the community. I will endeavor to restart a monthly communication from the BPP to the community. The BPP must have an informative website which is updated regularly and which carries information about all of its activities.” To bridge the gap between the BPP and its colonies/residents she would like to initiate regular meetings with colony associations, custodians and the BPP engineers. She realizes the need to maintain congenial relations with government departments, legal and financial institutions to facilitate work.

Berjis Desai
"In the last few months, the bitterness and rancor in the BPP has escalated significantly. I was part of a team which tried to defuse the situation, when I further realized that direct involvement was required. Having regard to my long relationship with strong personalities on both sides, I do believe that I can at least minimize the stridency in the BPP and forge a consensus on most matters…
"My only unique ability is my rapport with all the present trustees on the board. I will use this and my 40 years’ experience as a dispute resolution lawyer and a director of listed companies, to bring about some calm and peace, in the working of the BPP, if nothing else. Hopefully, we shall stop talking the language of ‘majority and minority’ and ‘factions and groups’ in the board of trustees. Lastly, we shall endeavor that the administration of the BPP becomes more generous, gentler and user friendly to the beneficiaries and the tenants.
"This (trusteeship seat) is not a position of prestige or power or honor. It is a duty and obligation of the most sacred nature to ensure that Parsi properties and funds are always safeguarded from threats, both external and internal. Every trustee is a servant of the community. I consider myself on par with our Doongerwadi workers and will act as a humble instrument of the Cosmic…” He would give himself three years to see if he has been able to add value to the BPP or make way for a more suitable person. "In any event, when I turn 70, after a little more than five years, I shall leave, in keeping with the principle that 70 ought to be a cut-off date...
"It is my dream, however utopian it sounds, that if we can create a fund to finance a mini Parsi welfare state, which provides attractive subsidies from cradle to grave, we will succeed in increasing Parsi births and reverse the demographic decline. The BPP can be that engine to spearhead this endeavor.
"I have gained immensely in my professional and personal life from being a Parsi Zoroastrian. It is now payback time… If the Lord so desires, I will serve; otherwise I shall have the satisfaction that I did not shirk my duty to the community and the faith in these critical times.”

Tehmtan Dumasia
"Despite having a busy business schedule, I still find time to help people socially, standing up for what is right against all odds, winning the trust of the people. I believe in delivering results. I believe in accountability. I am the man who can make the difference. The need of the hour is timely help to the people. Quick and fair decisions have to be made so that the community does not languish for want of justice.”
Member of the Mohalla Police Peace Committee Malabar Hill for the last 12 years, among his past and current engagements he specified: secretary (south Bombay) C District Congress Committee, joint secretary, Congress Committee (I) Block 11, volunteer for Senior Citizen Helpline 1090.
"Always approachable 24/7 to help and listen to community members’ problems,” the 57-year-old shared his numbers 9820085528/ 23636083. His "pledge” referred to reserving space in every colony for senior citizens to interact with each other; to set up a crèche in every baug; to get a dedicated team to vet housing applications; to digitize community records related to medical, housing, finance with a unique card number for each Parsi; to encourage youngsters to take a lead in sports activities and assist them with professional training/sponsorship; to support the poor and needy; "to take a concerned view about our religious tenets, including our sacred Doongerwadi lands.”

Dr Zuleika Homavazir
Believing that the community’s "true potential is not being realized through the leadership it requires,” the 40-year-old is convinced that with her "extensive qualifications, vast related expertise, deep sense of commitment, robust values, she can make an extremely impacting contribution...with zest, zeal and grit to build and promote a happier and prosperous community.”
Since her name had made voters question her Zoroastrian antecedents, she clarified that she is born to "both Zarathushti parents and being married into the Zoroastrian fold… take great pride in my family virtues, community traditions and religious values.”
On the faculty and board of management at Wilson College, with two doctorates in management, the academic achiever has received 14 awards from educational, social, corporate and management bodies including the Outstanding Young Zarathushti Professional by the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC). She has worked at managerial levels with Pfizer Ltd, Novartis Ltd, Holcim (South Asia) IT Services Ltd.
Founder of Help Our People Elevate with 12 years of community service to the less privileged, she has extended financial aid for the education of needy children, to old age homes, for cancer afflicted, for victims of floods and earthquake, in support of a plantation drive.

Adil Irani
Describing himself as "a result-oriented man who will work for the welfare and betterment of our Zoroastrian community,” the 61-year-old states that he has "the time, patience and dedication to attend and solve all your problems for the next seven years.” Currently self employed as a financial advisor after working with Air India for 32 years, he is a life member of the Parsee Gymkhana, WZCC, World Zoroastrian Organisation, and also a member of WAPIZ. He says he secured the maximum number of votes at the Anjuman Committee elections held in 1992.
Professing "great devotion for our religion, its traditions and customs,” he believes trusteeship would give him "a platform to protect our Doongerwadi land and dakhmenashini,” work for the uplift of mobeds and availability of priests at all times at Doongerwadi and all the agiaries, and protect the sanctity of fire temples.
Included in his priorities are setting up of a community marriage committee in every Parsi colony and redrafting of the merit rating scheme for housing allotment. Neither in favor of  increase in rent and service charges nor auction of flats, he announced he "will ensure that leave and license agreements are converted into tenancy agreements.”
Securing "minority status for our community” he feels "will provide employment opportunity to our younger generation for government jobs.” To the youngsters he would like to provide funds for higher professional education, and to women, equality at the professional level. For any queries concerning elections he can be contacted on 9820319423.

Farhanaz Irani
A nine-point handwritten agenda listed three features for the youngsters: "guidance and help in education, encourage youth to go to civil service, engage youth in community affairs;” three welfare features like "old age home and baby care centers in baugs, community tiffin and food service, medical help to our mobeds and all community humdins;” and three all encompassing objectives like "housing for all our humdins, bring our community together, protect and preserve dakhmenashini.”
The 60-year-old’s plea on social media noted, "Reasons for you to vote for me are many, I said many. I am different from others as I would love to see and talk to my humdins daily in the Punchayet office once I am a trustee. My number is 8108295111.”

Kersi Sethna did not share a manifesto till the time of going to press.
February 16 was the last day for withdrawal of nominations for the polling scheduled on March 14, 2021 at five venues in Bombay.

To cast their votes, those registered have to carry their Donor/General Register certificate with original proof of identity to any of the five venues on March 14, 2021 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Cusrow Baug, Colaba
Khareghat Colony, Hughes Road
Dadar Parsee Gymkhana, Dadar
Rustom Baug, Byculla
Bharucha Baug, Andheri