Shri Narendra Modi

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India

Prime Minister's Office

South Block, Raisina Hill

New Delhi-110 011.



Respected Shri Narendra Modiji,

As you are aware, the Parsis, having adopted India as their motherland, have always been true sons of the soil and served India with honour and distinction. They have never asked for any special favours or reservations but have excelled in various fields and given back to society out of affection.

However, the same community is today in distress caused by certain development proposals of the Government of Maharashtra. The major cause of angst is on account of the proposed Metro-III line which is going to pass through Jagannath Sunkersett Road, on which are located two of our holy Fire Temples viz. Wadiaji Atash Behram and Anjuman Atash Behram. One line of the Metro will partially pass under both the above Fire Temples.

In case of Wadiaji Fire Temple, part of the tunnel will actually pass under the Sanctum Sanctorum where the holy Fire is enthroned. Both these holy fires are consecrated entities; living vibrant beings who are intermediaries between God and mankind. They play the role of spiritual warriors who keep the forces of the dark side in control, thus protecting humanity from great harm. To keep these holy entities safe from physical and spiritual pollution, they are segregated from the outside world by magnetic circuits which are drawn at the time of their enthronement. Further, certain rituals are conducted at the time of enthronement which enable them to draw sustenance from the ground beneath them. Once the tunnel for the Metro is dug under the premises, the magnetic circuits will be breached and the negative forces of physical and spiritual pollution will attack the holy fires with full force, thus diminishing their spiritual powers. The fires will also lose their connection with the divine forces operating under the earth’s surface from which they draw sustenance. The combined effects of these will be disastrous for the holy fires. The damage that may occur to the premises of the Atash Behram also cannot be ruled out as they are very old structures, besides being heritage buildings. If these Holy Fires are defiled, the backlash from Nature will not spare those responsible! The nearby residential buildings, which house many families and businesses, are also going to be severely jeopardised. The Dadysett Agiary at Hutatma Chowk and the Bhikha Behram Well near Azad Maidan are also in jeopardy on account of the same project.

The authorities keep assuring everyone that structural integrity of the buildings will be kept in mind during construction but they are blissfully unaware of the damage that will surely happen to the spiritual prowess of these holy places. Hence, it is in the interest of all concerned to reconsider and realign the plans for the Metro line in this sector.

We wish to emphasise that we are not against development and progress. The Parsis have been forerunners in the nation’s progress. But progress at the cost of desecration of spiritual entities is not acceptable!

Sir, the Parsis are a peace loving and progressive community, not prone to taking to the streets to emphasise our rights. We have no political representation whatsoever. In light of that, we earnestly request your immediate intervention to safeguard our spiritual institutions.

We sincerely request you to be our saviour and prevent damage to our holy institutions. Our holy fires will surely shower their divine blessings on you for this help.