Here is why I will not sign the "Save the Parsi Gate” petition. As clarified by the initiator of this petition, these two pillars (pictured) were built by two well-meaning individuals five score and five years ago at Marine Drive. This was essentially to facilitate the worship of the element of water by all those who wish to do so. I believe these pillars are just a gate or access to the vast expanse of the water body (the sea) that both Hindus and Parsis consider sacred. The Gate is not holy per se; it is the sea that is holy whether at Chowpatty, Worli or the Gateway of India. Even our learned clergy has not declared any religious significance attached to these pillars.
I recollect at Doongerwadi, another place of worship (for the souls of our dear departed ones), more frequented than the one off Marine Drive, the gate had to be shifted some years ago at the request of the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) for broadening the road at Kemps Corner. There was no such hue and cry then. Will these petitioners also raise objections if the gate or the front facades of our atash behrams need to be modified?
The petition has based its argument on religion and heritage. I believe there is absolutely no religious significance to these pillars, nor are they a declared or recorded heritage structure. They just happen to be located within the Heritage precinct of Marine Drive. This reasoning shows malice-in-fact.
True, "every religion worships water as a fundamental nourishing and cleansing element in nature.” But this can be done from anywhere. It is not sacrosanct that such worship has to be performed only from a particular location. I understand the BMC has agreed to move the pillars to a suitable site which will provide worshippers access to the sea. So I was aghast to read that the petitioners have requested "BMC to halt and re-plan the Mumbai Coastal Road by conserving the Parsi Gate at the same location with access to the sea for worship and offerings.”
Obviously, the petitioners have no idea what this would entail. They have not given their demand any thought or kept in mind the absolute and urgent need for infrastructure in Bombay.
Although the Gate is not a Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) property, it would be best to let the BPP trustees who are democratically elected representatives of the community work this out with the authorities.
It is sad that a community which was in the forefront of this city’s progress is now showing signs of regression.
Cmde MEDIOMA BHADA (Retd)
mrbhada@gmail.com