Apercus on Zoroastrianism

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 26 September 2025 "In every religion, there're people, priests and laity, who bring regressiveness to that particular religion. Zoroastrian population is small as compared with other religions and the percentage of literacy is also higher. Yet, there're some people, whose thinking is regressive. So, like all other faiths, Zoroastrianism also needs to keep pace with the modern world and contemporary thinking." Dr Navroze Kotwal; he's a Bombay-based Zoroastrian who's one of the finest dental surgeons in the county and an Urdu poet par excellence In these times of religious aggression and extreme religiosity shown by all man-made faiths, there's one faith that still remains silent and maintains a low-profile. This faith is Zoroastrianism. Unlike Hindus and Muslims, Zoroastrians never indulge in idiotic behaviour; shouting and screaming. You'll never see Zoroastrians (Parsis in India) claiming that their faith is the only true religion and its followers being the god's chosen ones. Nor will you find apologists in it explaining and justifying the idiosyncrasies in their faith. In spite of being the world's oldest monotheistic faith that came into existence more than 4,000 years ago, Zoroastrianism also has flaws, irrationalities and primitive practices. Late Dr Gieve Patel, a physician who also wrote poetry and plays, once said that an average Parsi wouldn't wear his faith on his sleeve. Nor will he talk much of his/her faith. So, a lot many things about Zoroastrianism remain buried forever. The general tenor that Parsis are peace-loving and no-nonsense people is quite right. Most of the Parsis are decent and gentle people, at least, ostensibly. While mass persecutions occurred in Persia due to the advent of Islam, Zoroastrians migrated to India and have thereafter imbibed the Indian culture and tradition, albeit still maintaining the uniqueness of the religion. The ethnic entity of Zoroastrianism which migrated to India is the Parsis. Parsis have been following the teachings of Prophet Zoroaster through the ancient scriptures of the Gathas and the Vendidad. However the scriptures being ancient and enumerated in five different languages originally have resulted in varied interpretations by the traditional head priests of the community. The direct effect of such traditionalists' interpretations of the scriptures has resulted in severe orthodoxy which has had adverse consequences on the Khandias, a category of the Pall bearers. The Khandias have been accounted as the lowest strata of Parsis and are deemed to be perpetually polluted. Khandias are essentially a sub-caste of Parsis and hence explores the relationship between descent based discrimination, which includes caste based discrimination and racial discrimination. system and entailing interim measures for the safety of the Khandias. It's worthwhile to note that Avesta (a language close to Vedic Sanskrit and the ancient language of Zoroastrians ) states that there's no discrimination among humans and even if one's non-Zoroastrian, he's also equal. But social discrimination existed in all faiths right from the beginning. It plagued Zoroastrianism as well. Perhaps this earliest instance of social discrimination engendered apartheid, colour consciousness, racial supremacy, supremacism and caste-based ill-treatment that's still very much prevalent in Hiduism. The priests and clergy in all faiths have twisted and tweaked the pristine spiritual essence. Zoroastrianism is no exception. Menstruation and childbirth have historically been associated with ritual impurity, leading to the practice of isolating women in separate rooms or outbuildings, sometimes for extended periods. Historically, medieval Zoroastrian laws reinforced male dominance, giving men more rights in matters of divorce, custody, and inheritance. The ritual use of taro or gomez (bull's urine) for purification is another ancient practice that reformists have criticised and questioned in modern times. The traditional funerary practice of ritual exposure of the dead in "Towers of Silence" has become controversial due to modern sanitation concerns and the declining population of scavenger birds. This has led to debate and, in many parts of the world, the adoption of other funerary methods like burial. Parsi Vs. Iranian Zoroastrians: Tensions exist between the more traditionalist Parsi community in India and the generally more open and egalitarian Iranian Zoroastrian communities, both in Iran and in the diaspora. In short, this religion also has the creases of obscurantism that must be ironed out. Dr Kotwal, who once wanted to become a priest, is now immensely happy as a renowned Dental surgeon, whose clients are the elites of Bombay and the glitterati of the film world. An aficionado of vintage cricket who watched Test cricket across the world, this latitudinarian writes on the futility of all faiths. Though a faithful, Dr Kotwal believes that all religions have outlived their usefulness and purpose. Some of his couplets must get you thinking, "Mazhabon Ne Toh Baant Diya Insaan Ko Millaton-O-Firqon Mein/ Ab Dar Ye Hai Ke Insaan Kahin Baant Na De, Khuda Ko Bhi" (Religion has already divided people into sects and sub-sects/ You never know, humans might divide god as well). Read this one, "Mayassar Nahin Aadmi Ko Insaan Hona/ Chala Hai Phir Woh Hone Ko Khuda " (Man is unable to become a perfect human being/ Yet, he tries to become the god). " Inayat-E-Rab Toh Muqaddar Hai Insaan Ko/ Insaan Ko Insaan Ki Meharbani Chahiye " ( The grace of god has been bestowed upon humans/ Now humans need the love and grace of his fellow humans). This couplet of Dr Kotwal has always made people think, "Phenk Ke Patthar Insanon Pe/ Dhoondhte Hain Bhagwan Pattharon Mein " (By hurling stones at humans/ We look for god in stones). And this one is the icing on the cake, " Shukra karo parindon ka koi mazhab nahin / Vagarna aasmaanon se bhi khoon barasta " (Good gracious, birds have no religion / Otherwise, the sky would have rained blood). ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. 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