The Parsi community has large properties left behind by our elders, spread all over the country, from Amritsar in the north to Calicut in the south and from Diu in the west to Darjeeling in the east. As Jerry Pinto observed in his essay, "The Parsis,” these are "huge assets that are held in common for the good of the community.” Whilst most of the properties in Bombay and other major towns are safe with the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and other anjumans, there are many which are unattended to and uncared for. Bombay itself has a large number of properties which do not fall under the purview of the BPP and are managed by a few nominated trustees.
Some parties with vested interests attempted to sell the Dharwar aramgah land to a developer. A timely enquiry conducted by the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) revealed that this was being done clandestinely, without the knowledge of even the panthaky of the Hubli dadgah who had been looking after the facility at his own expense. Timely intervention saved the property. Ironically, it is believed that the same developer was involved in the purchase of the aramgah land at Bhusawal, obviously with the connivance of an insider.
Three community trusts recently sold their lands in Bombay’s suburbs to a developer under the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme. The trustees’ excuse was that there were encroachments. Why did the trustees allow encroachments to occur? Why wasn’t action initiated to prevent them?
While the FPZAI is making valiant efforts to protect Parsi properties through its Defunct Anjuman Scheme, most anjumans have expressed apprehensions regarding the efficacy of the proposal and have declined to participate in it.
With crores worth of community property languishing all over the country, it is time for us to start a movement to protect them. Should we seek the assistance of the government; institute a forum with the requisite legal sanctions and financial backing; or seek instructions from the judiciary?
The management of these properties could be left to the respective boards of trustees as hitherto, though their final disposal, if any, should be approved by the duly constituted new body. The community’s representative on the Minorities Commission could initiate a dialog on the protection of such properties at the highest level with the concerned minister.
Whilst we are debating the course to be followed, concerned members of the community should remain vigilant and ensure that none of these properties are encroached upon and that vested interests do not poach on them. More so in view of the fact that most of the holy precincts in Bombay fall under the "Heritage” category, the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) of which command a very lucrative premium.
Trustees are just custodians of the lands and properties entrusted to them; community members are the real owners.
Cmde MEDIOMA BHADA (Retd)
mrbhada@gmail.com.
The editors reply:
Sadly many trustees, anjumans, the FPZAI and lay Parsis are unable to protect community property. The sale of lands in Dharwar and Hubli was halted. But after that has encroachment stopped on those properties? Are they safe?