The Parsis have decided to ensure that, like other communities, they too have a representative in the Maharashtra assembly. Members of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and BJP legislator Mangal Prabhat Lodha made a representation to governor SC Jamir asking that a Parsi be nominated as a member of the assembly.
"Our community has been in the forefront in the development of this city," said Godrej Dotivala, BPP public relations officer. "We should have some representation."
Lodha had sent a letter to the BPP which lit the spark. "I had demanded earlier that one seat reserved for Anglo-Indians be shared on random basis with Parsis. Their numbers are so small that they will never be able to make it through the normal route," he said.
"Since there are reservations in colleges and jobs,
we thought it would be a good idea," said Dinshaw Mehta, the Punchayet chairperson. "We may not be backward, but we are a minority and need reservations. A member will help to put up our demands."
Asked if the Parsis, traditionally Congress supporters, are embarrassed about being associated with the BJP, Mehta, whose sister is a BJP corporator, said, "If someone is coming forward to help, we cannot refuse."