Community divided over the idea of having 2 family members on 7-member board

Is it alright to have a husband and wife as trustees on the same board? The Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), one of the city’s oldest and richest trusts and apex body of the Parsis, is all set to have elections for one seat in July. Anahita Desai (52), a prominent social worker in the community, who is also the wife of the current chairman, Yazdi Desai, has announced that she would be contesting. The community is now debating if it is a good idea to have a husband-wife duo on the seven-member BPP board.

Ms Desai is known as a traditionalist. She is the CEO of the World Alliance Of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ), which works to preserve the community’s tradition and identity. “I am extremely active in the day-to-day happenings of the BPP. I attend many of their court cases and understand the BPP’s weaknesses and strengths. Working in the official capacity will enable me to contribute so much more,” Ms. Desai told The Hindu .

The members of the BPP board have a long history of bickering among themselves. The past and present trustees have filed several police complaints against each other. On many important issues, the seven members have been divided in a 4:3 ratio. The community fears that if Ms Desai is elected, the majority will always tilt on the side of the chairman, with his wife supporting him on every issue. But Ms Desai says that she should not be disqualified just because she is the chairman’s wife. “I come with my own experience and knowledge,” said Ms. Desai, adding that she and her husband have disagreements as well. Community member Homi Dalal says that it is a bad idea to have two family members on the board. “She is a great person. But having both of them on the board may not be a good idea,” he said. Another community member and editor of community magazine Parsiana, Jehangir Patel agreed.

The elections in July are for the seat of trustee Muncherji Cama, who resigned in 2015.