Decline of the Parsi Community
A lot has been said, written, and debated about the decline of the Parsi community and the dwindling numbers of our already small community in India, and the world over.
Here in the National Capital Region of Delhi, which includes Gurgaon and Noida, we Parsis are quite concerned with our declining numbers and dismayed by the ignorance and apathy that surrounds this subject.
While many may not agree with our point of view, we would really appreciate a healthy debate on the subject. We’d rather not take the ostrich-head-in-the-sand-approach. After all, openness to other points of view and depth of thinking is part of what makes us who we are!
Here’s a perspective on the subject, from Dinshaw Tamboly, with facts and figures in support of his thinking.
“The community numbers as per the 2011 census when released will tell its own story. The most serious problem that our community is beset with is the problem of falling numbers which needs to be earnestly addressed and corrective action taken.
Based on a 10% decrease every decade, the Parsee race in India will come down to 41,099 by 2050 and 24,268 by 2100.
If one calculates the depletion @ 12% per decade, the figures can be 36,730 by 2050 and 19,382 by 2100.
The decimation of numbers will in all probability accelerate in the years to come as the 2001 census has identified 24.1% of Parsees to be above 65 years of age…”
Important points which needs alteration :-
i) First of all, whoever ie he / she marries a parsee girl or a boy, should be taken into our
community.
ii) Nevertheless, do not allow the other to enter our Fire Temple, but make him / her a part
of our community without teasing anybody, as this is an old practice.
iii) Parsee colony flats may / can be occupied, by such couple/s families who have
married with different caste people.
iv) Make Navjote Ceremony CUMPULSORY, and take such children in to our Parsse
community, without any fuss.This includes all ie. for all boys / girls who have
married any different caste boy or girl.
v) This is the only way the numbers can increase or else, it may really be the case of
disappearance sooner rather than later.
Dear Homi, you cannot enforce the Navjote ceremony of the children from mixed marriages.
Whether you like it or not, it will depend on the more dominant parent. If the non-Parsi spouse (or parents of such non-parsi spouse) insists that the child be brought up as per their culture – there is precious little we can do (specially if father is non-Parsi).
So once the gates are opened unfortunately we have little control.
Even if for a moment we consider your argument, and enforce the Navjot of such a child, is there a guarantee that such a child will only marry a Parsi when he / she grows up? Most likely no (will likely follow the parents footsteps).
So one generation down a line, we are again at the same ‘cross road’. Will he / she be able to ‘again’ convince the non-parsi spouse to perform Navjot of their children? So for every successive generation we are leaving it to chance (demographers say that in such scenarios the majority religions gain – minorities suffer over 2 – 3 generations).
In spite of the over hyped ‘Wadia’ Navjotes, do we know if Neville’s grandsons Jeh and Ness are practicing Zoroastrians? Not so sure.
Also, I believe the Delhi Parsis have long been a ‘liberal’ community and are open to ‘accept’ children of mixed marriages.
I am keen to know if this practice has worked wonders for the Parsi population in Delhi? Have you seen growth rates increase dramatically over the years or are you still seeing declining numbers inspite of your ‘liberal stance’?
Would like to hear back on this.
Doroud,
Why dont you Intermingle with Iranians!! you know there is big waves of nationalism Raising and Floating to throw away Islam! im not talking of majority but still good enough for Start and elevating True Persians Culture and faith according to Parsis Point of views…
I am one of those Iranians who became rationalist (not Zoroastrian Per se!) and who cares for his Pure Culture… and good news is i am not the only one…
Dear Amir,
Thank you for your point of view. I am sure there will be strong reactions for and against your perspective, but being the progressive people that we are, am sharing it here, for more discussion and debate.
Hopefully, for answers to our dilemmas.
Regards,
Webmaster, DelhiParsis.com