The abhorrent practice of seeking alms from aggrieved family members and other mourners at Doongerwadi has once again been revived. Family and friends attending a funeral are first entreated to leave rupee notes of high denomination on a folded sudreh next to the corpse during the paidust ceremony. After the body is consigned to the Towers of Silence and the mourners disperse they are greeted by the gardeners and other Doongerwadi staff who stand respectfully at a distance salaaming in anticipation of a handout. As one approaches the gate which demarcates the dakhmas from the bunglis, one is confronted with up to nine pallbearers greeting the mourners. Although they may not overtly demand tips, they expect mourners to have sufficient magnanimity to appreciate their services. After the uthamna the next afternoon, a khumcha filled with flowers and petals is circulated amongst the gathering that is soon filled with rupee notes of varying denominations.
In the Parsiana issue of December 21, 2006 ("A loss of dignity,” Editorial Viewpoint) these pernicious practices were referred to: "At the time of sezdo (paying of respects to the corpse) before the body is carried out of the bungli, the khandhias start with their cries of ‘mai aapo (madam give).’ After carrying the body up the slope and placing the ravaan (corpse) on the marble slab prior to consigning the body to the towers, the alms solicitation becomes more pronounced, almost belligerent: ‘aapo, aapo (give, give).’”
The approach of the Doongerwadi staff was contrasted with the behavior encountered at the Chandanwadi crematorium run by the Bombay Municipal Corporation where no one is overtly approached for alms, if at all.
While the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustees who manage the Doongerwadi estate are quick to ban Parsi Zoroastrian priests from performing funerary ceremonies elsewhere for those opting for cremation, the trustees turn a blind eye to demeaning practices committed on their sacred property. After the 2008 elections this sickening practice of beggary at Doongerwadi had stopped. But not for long. No doubt the pallbearers are unionized and any attempt to curb their malpractices could result in a disruption of services. If the trustees are serious about their electoral pledges to defend the faith, this is the time to show their mettle.
No doubt the khandhias and nassessalars suffer a social stigma on account of their profession. But seeking alms from aggrieved persons is not helping their cause or lessening societal bias. It is only aggravating their predicament.