Years back I was at Matheran. When I was at the top of a mountain I read a warning: "Danger path! Don’t cross.” Two young lads endeavored to proceed on the danger path to prove their courage. After a few steps on the narrow path they started crying for help. Luckily a missionary saw them confused and helped them back to safety.
At present the Parsi community is at a similar crossroad. They are confused and cannot decide which is the safe path. On one hand the International Zoroastrian Organization is planning to bring all Zoroastrians of the world under one umbrella, and on the other some enthusiasts think of separating from the mainstream, as Protestant Zoroastrians. Is it not a scheme to split the small community?
They do not call their group as ‘Reformist Zoroastrians,’ but as ‘Protestants’ to differentiate themselves from the orthodox group.
If seems there is now an open conflict between fanatics and fundamentalists. Parsis have a tendency to protest even for a small cause and enjoy controversies.
The Protestants have inaugurated a big hall of their own where they can perform ceremonies like jashan, navjote and interfaith marriages, in the presence of non-Parsis. These rites would not have the value of any ‘Pavmahal’ high rituals.
Protestants also intend to have a dadgah of their own in future where the cosmopolitan public would be allowed. These moves are with the motive of increasing the Parsi population to some extent, by welcoming the children of interfaith marriages. They fear the extinction of our religion and community.
Protestant Zoroastrians may not be Parsi or Irani. By inviting aliens in our community will we definitely flourish? There are chances of miscalculations.
Why are our learned dasturs, respected akabars and dindar Zarthoshtis silent? Do they have no courage to confront this ridiculous movement? Shall we have to wait and watch the serious consequences and suffer? We have two options — either to fight for right or to suffer silently the serious fate. Such fads are bound to see failures in the long run without the support of the majority of our wise group.
May Mazda grant us Vohu-mana to stop us from crossing the ‘danger path.’
NOSHIR DABOO
Ahmedabad