By giving more than just the important dates concerning the Zoroastrian religion, a Parsi calendar released by the Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation (ZYNG), youth wing of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), seems to have run into rough weather with community’s orthodox members.
A 65-year-old member of the community, Firoz Kotwal has written a letter to the commissioner to impound the calendar that is on sale for Rs300. The reason for the complaint: it alleges that the calendar to be “highly objectionable and anti-religious”.
The calendar, a work by Parsi youth, with professional and prominent Parsis a part of the process, besides giving dates of the three Zoroastrian calendars, has pictures of models in “short clothes”. It also provides recipes and preparation of some dishes as a footnote.
“It is like the Kingfisher calendar. How can they have such a calendar that is giving formats of all the three calendars followed by Zoroastrians? It can never be used for religious details,” said Kotwal. In his letter to the police commissioner, he has referred to a letter by one of the high priests of the community Kaikhusroo Dastur Minochar Jamasp Asa authorising him to file the complaint.
“A lot of orthodox members are aggrieved by what has appeared,” he added. When questioned about why no formal police complaint was lodged, Kotwal said that he may do it soon.
Jamasp Asa said, “Yes, we are objecting.” Another high priest, Dasturji Khurshed Dastur said, “What has been done is not proper. But this has to be taken from the broader sense. It is something that was released by the youth. We have to guide that group. Somebody should have explained to them that the elders need to be informed and asked whether this is appropriate or not.”
Tashan Mistree, a member of ZYNG, said, “I need to check on this issue. I do not think his claim has even been accepted by the police and there is nothing religious about the calendar as such.”
Dinshaw Mehta, trustee of BPP said, “We have not received any complaint from anyone.” Vispy Wadia, a member of the community who is fighting on liberal lines with the orthodox group, criticised the BPP for its double standards.
