I congratulate the trustees of Dadar’s R. N. Rustom Framna Agiary for a well thought out, mature and united response to the community on permitting some non-Parsi well-wishers on the verandah, grounds and near the well of the above-mentioned adarian. As a religious, practicing Zoroastrian I state that not only have I not been offended with Ervad Kaizad Karkaria clarifying our law-abiding ways to government authorities to satisfy their baseless objections, but also heartened to know that some of us want to show there is nothing to hide behind our very exclusive ways.
Team The Parsee Voice (TPV) suggests on social media that the trustees and the manager pray the Patet before the Agiary’s fire to atone for this, and one Rusi Patel’s missive urges that Karkaria be dismissed. This reflects their personal state of mind. I endorse neither.
Ervad Kaizad Karkaria with a government official outside the Agiary
I write this as I am tired of reading about the extreme views belted out by the traditionalists, whilst the liberals remain silent and tolerate abuses (good words or thoughts?) and punitive action is sought for "harming the religion” by "keepers of the faith” (good deeds?), as defined only by the traditionalists. Please refrain from being the keepers of my faith or from holding up my religion. Please also desist from claiming to represent me by saying "Karkaria has brought shame and anguish to the entire community.” I am part of the community and I am neither ashamed nor anguished.
Another major tenet of Zoroastrianism is choice, which forces responsibility on each individual. This has been forgotten as a paramount principle. The justification for my choices and whether I have led a good life or not, is what Ahura Mazda will decide. It is not you.
As a follower of the faith I have prayed the Gathas every year for 39 straight years with the meaning written in my book. I am a regular visitor to Udvada and from an athornan family. I repeat, let us not be judges of the conduct of others’ lives — let Ahura Mazda decide that.
I so agree with Team TPV’s last sentence in their widely circulated WhatsApp message: "We only hope and pray that good sense prevails going forward and there is no repeat of this...”
Also, please do not teach me what Zoroastrianism is or represent me. I know.
MEHROO KOTVAL
mkotval@gmail.com