The priest who denied Hansotia the prayers has not acted with good thoughts, words or deeds. The priest is entitled to his opinion, but it is not a law as it applies only to him and within his jurisdiction. He applied this to a man who treated every person entering the bank he worked for with dignity, equity, compassion and generosity. Hansotia lived by true Zarathushti values.
A majority of Parsis today seek religious succor in babas, novenas, mantras or taviz. They pay obeisance to other gods whose images adorn their home altars. Are these hallowed Zarathushtis? Would a priest bar entry to fire temples to such people? Has the Zarathushti religion been reduced to priests not following the true spirit of the religion?
We are sending a loud and clear message: if you are defined a Parsi Zoroastrian as deemed by the Bombay High Court, then you are permitted the privileges of a Parsi Zoroastrian and can avail of all community charities and amenities. The religion cannot bend to suit personal, individual human prejudices. My spiritual needs may be met by other gods and babas. People will say: "To each their own." Why not use the same yardstick for the final prayers?
Hansotia lived by conviction in the true Zarathushti way. He did the right thing because it was the right thing to do.
MEHROO KOTVAL
mkotval@gmail.com