Letters to the Editor
Clarification To Article Published In Parsi Junction Regarding Rajkot Anjuman Properties
On 13th September, 2020, Parsi Junction again published an article titled, ‘SAM CHOTHIA CONTINUES ATTEMPT TO SELL RAJKOT ARAMGAH’. The entire article contains blatant lies. Though I wouldn’t see any reason to keep on giving any explanation to the lies, unsubstantiated allegations and bakwas, I want to assure the community that whatever I had clarified in the Parsi Press is 100% based on facts.
The Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) works as per agreed policies which are purely meant for better management of any dormant trust/ Defunct Anjuman / Punchayet, where there are few Parsis or no Parsis left; and where community properties are unattended and in danger of being encroached upon and /or are encroached upon. If a trust wants to sell its Trust properties, then it has to file an application under the relevant provisions of law. So, filing scheme has nothing to do with sale of properties.
The owners, publishers etc of Parsi Junction are trying to misguide and stir up community sentiments by giving such provocative and deceitful title to the article. The community should not be misled by the false propaganda.
The community must know as to why such articles are published by Parsi Junction only when matters pertain to various Anjumans and the way is discussed amongst the Defunct Anjuman Committee-DAC and how is it that whatever is discussed is leaked only to Parsi Junction? And why only my name is dragged in? According to me, it’s an attempt to divert the attention of the community from all the fraudulent and illegal acts done by Dinshaw Mehta when he was the President of FPZAI, in connivance with the then CEO of the Defunct Anjumans Committee – Soli Katpitia.
When I was appointed as CEO of the Defunct Anjumans Committee – DAC 2016, many things came to light which were shocking, and I brought it to the notice of the DAC. When the DAC asked for the handing over of all the case files of all the Anjumans, the same was not done. A lot of questions have been raised in the DAC about the functioning and actions of the immediate past Chairman of BPP who held the post of president of FPZAI and the ex-CEO. It is obvious that the past president of FPZAI does not want all this being exposed and he feels that unjustified attack is the best form of defense!
One example will demonstrate the attempt, by immediate past chairman of BPP and past president of FPZAI, to hinder and derail the work of the FPZAI and DAC. There is a dilapidated property at Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh) which is falling apart and which is being used by antisocial elements as their den. I have personally visited Neemuch almost 10 times and seen it, surveyed it and reported back to the DAC. The handful of Parsis residing at Neemuch are unable to stop the encroachment and safeguard the property. It was resolved to sell this property to benefit the Parsis living there and the Parsi community too. The legal process was followed. Advertisement was put in the papers in MP. Suddenly Khushru Zaiwalla was awakened by his ‘conscience’ and for keeping his ‘conscience’ satisfied and happy, he filed an objection to the proposed sale. So now, the FPZAI is in court opposing the Objection Application of Khushru Zaiwallas.
It is important to note that Neemuch Anjuman has no funds; the situation is so dire that the Neemuch Agiary upkeep and salary of its Panthaki is paid by the BPP and FPZAI. It is also interesting to note that local Neemuch residents have said that Dinshaw Mehta is instigating and funding this Objection! What is more important is that the Zaiwallas have no alternate solution to the problem of safeguarding community property in places where there are very few or no Parsis residing. So, while we are fighting the Zaiwallas in court, the properties are being eaten up by land mafias and encroachers and we are bravely fighting on. Sad situation.
At Rajkot, Mr. Khushnam Tamboli and Khushru Zaiwala are again awakened by their ‘conscience’ to oppose the due process of law being followed by FPZAI. Mr. Khushnam Tamboli is not an elected Trustee of Rajkot Anjuman nor was Mr. Parvez Mehta – the Vice President of West Zone-FPZAI, as stated in Parsi Junction article. Mr. Parvez Mehta is the first cousin of Mr. Dinshaw Mehta. Mr. Khushnam Tamboli is closely related to a very reputed and esteemed family and he will regret the day he comes to know that he is being used for the vested interest by Mr. Dinshaw Mehta.
I am not going to be bullied or be threatened by these kinds of allegations. I know my work and I am doing it in the manner it should be done; and I will continue to do so. The FPZAI and DAC is committed to its objectives and Parsi Junction can continue to provide entertainment through twisted facts and lies. Henceforth, I will not be replying and rather use my energies for the tasks entrusted by FPZAI.
Sam R. Chothia
CEO – Defunct Anjuman Committee – FPZAI
