The Historical Background:

The Bombay Parsi Punchayet also known as the BPP is the apex administrative body of the Parsi Irani Zoroastrian community in India. It is recognized the world over as the premier body of the Parsi community and is known to be one of the oldest continuously existing, socio-community organization in Mumbai. It was formed in 1672 at the behest of the then British Governor Gerald Aungier. In order to facilitate law and order in the port city of Bombay, Aungier ordered representatives of various communities including the Parsi community, to set up a “caste – council” consisting of 5 men, in order to administrate the affairs of the “natives”. Their job was to govern their own people and ensure that law and order was maintained in Mumbai so that any transgression could be dealt with by the community concerned. The Parsi Punchayet which was established in 1672 enjoyed quasi-legislative and judicial powers. In 1778 these men by way of a petition to the Governor, described themselves as the “Managers of the Punchayet of Parsis at Bombay”.

As time went by, there was a need to expand this council and so on the 1st January 1787, 12 persons were selected of whom six were practicising Zoroastrian priests and the rest were from the laity. Their purpose was to adjudicate on all social and religious matters, concerning the Parsis, and they were empowered to bring strict justice to all parties without “fear, favour or affection” to anyone.

As the community members in Bombay increased due to the growing economic opportunities, by 1818, a need was felt to further enlarge the Punchayet council and so a suo motto resolution was passed to increase the numbers in the council to 18 persons.

The Punchayet dealt with various matters arising within the community such as adjudicating on issues concerning marital discord, adoption, succession, domestic strife, land disputes, etc. In 1884, a formal Trust deed was created, encompassing all the moveable and immoveable properties having under its jurisdiction the lands of the Towers of Silence and various other properties. It is from this point onwards that the Punchayet became the recognized custodians and managers of the property given to it for religious, benevolent and other purposes by members of the Parsi community.

Election Scheme

In 1908 the council was termed and accepted defacto as “Trustees of the Punchayet”. A scheme for the election of trustees was now sought to be framed by Mr. Limji N. Banaji who was appointed special commissioner. Under this scheme 4 separate registers and an Electoral College came into being for voting purposes, as well as a Donors Register with separate voting rights was created. The first, election of Trustees of the Parsi Punchayet was held in 1911 and seven trustees were elected through this process.

The BPP today

Over the next 97 years the Trustees of the BPP were elected every 7 years through this Electoral College. In 2008, the BPP held its first historic elections based upon Adult Franchise, making it possible for community members to directly choose seven representatives of their choice, as trustees of the Punchayet.

From time to time the BPP has made several representations to the Government of India on legal matters affecting the community’s religious traditions, practices and way of life. In secular India the Parsis as a minority group have been given certain special privileges. Based on the importance of personal law and the community’s scriptural heritage, the Parsis are governed separately by “The Parsi Marriage & Divorce Act” and “The Parsi Succession Act” and as Parsi religious law does not recognize the concept of adoption, as understood under Indian law, the secular laws appertaining to adoption in India, do not apply to the community. In 1970’s when Shrimati Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister and the question of extending the adoption laws to the Parsi community was being contemplated, a delegation of High Priests met the late Prime Minister, and persuaded her to exclude the Parsis from this law. In deference to the community’s wishes and not wanting to compromise the ancient traditions and practices of the faith, Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, acceded to their request and the Parsis of India were excluded from the Adoption Bill.

For over a thousand years since their the arrival in India, in 936 CE, the Parsis have been loyal citizens of India and have contributed vast charities to the city of Mumbai and elsewhere in India. The Parsis have developed India’s industrial infrastructure and they have served in the armed forces. In the field of education, the Elphinstone College, Bombay University, the VJTI, the Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy (Sir JJ) School of Art & Architecture, the B. J. Medical College in Pune and Ahmedabad and the N.M. Wadia College, have all been established for the citizens of India. The Cama Hospital, the Wadia and KEM Hospitals and various other institutions have been established by the Parsis for the welfare of the citizens of Mumbai.

Notable among the famous Parsis of India in modern times are Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw and Zubin Mehta, the conductor. In the years gone by Dadabhai Naoroji, Sir Pherozeshaw Mehta, Sir Dinshaw Watccha, Madame Cama, Jamsetjee Tata and Jamsetji Jejeebhoy are well known Parsi greats who all contributed to and served the cause of India as a nation. Although a miniscule community of some 125,000, globally, the Parsis have contributed disproportionately to the well-being of India and continue to serve their adopted homeland with dignity, honour and grace.