the top on religious grounds.

Thereafter I personally visited Ervad Karanjia to get a better understanding of this walk. He informed me that almost 80% of the discussions with the students happen at the pavilion itself (which is located at the base where non-parsis sit during the funeral ceremony). And at the end of such discussion, they are taken to the top to show them the location of the dokhmas.

An email of High-priest Dasturji Kotwal has been forwarded, where he has given his blessings to the walk and said there is nothing wrong if these students go till the top.

But when I spoke to learned scholar Dr Ervad Parvez Baja, he said that he was uncomfortable with the fact that the students were being taken to the top and said that it would be better if the students were restricted to the pavilion.

The Doongerwadi is our sacred land, the very reason the Parsi Punchayat was created. As Trustees, it is our fiduciary duty to ensure maintenance of peace and dignity of such scared lands.

Dr. Ervad Karanjia understood my concern, and was most co-operative and totally agreed that the sanctity of the Doongerwadi is of utmost importance to him as well, and he would never do anything to jeopardize its dignity. He even said that if the situation called for it, he would have no hesitation in restricting the walk to the pavilion itself.

I am mindful of the fact that the BPP has, in the past, been giving permission for this walk for the last 10 years, and that my father, too, was party to that decision. But now I am informed that a police complaint has been filed with Malabar Hill Police Station for hurting the religious sentiments of the Parsi community. I am also informed that a large crowd of orthodox Parsis are expected at our Doongerwadi to try and stop this Heritage Walk. Hence to satisfy my personal concerns, and in exercise of my duty as a Trustee of the BPP, I will remain present at the Doongerwadi on Sunday.