I totally agree with the views in the letter "Dakhmas are defunct” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, May 7, 2016). All those who support consignment in the dakhmas need to be confined in one for a couple of hours. They will soon change their opinion.
That the Bombay Parsi Punchayet should advocate this system is incredible. Can they give one logical reason for such support?
I have, by accident, had a fleeting glance at the inside of a dakhma. My first reaction was that our pallbearers need to be paid five times their salary for doing such a disgustingly revolting job. My second thought was "ban this system.” We are supposedly an intelligent community...so give this a thought.
Where we lived centuries ago was mountainous terrain. Agricultural land was at a premium and could not be spared for cemeteries. The bodies of the departed were therefore left exposed on mountain tops for nature to do the rest.
Did the Prophet Zoroaster ordain this? It cannot be! If he did, I have been worshiping the wrong guy!
Com TEHMASP MOGUL (retd)
Bangalore
tehmasp.mogul@gmail.com
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