Mumbai: After an outcry among Parsis about a comment from the Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, saying that the community came to ‘plunder the country’, Devvrat apologised saying that the remarks were a ‘slip of tongue’.
Devvrat made the comments during the convocation ceremony of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat, last week. Angry members of the Parsi community in Mumbai contacted Kersi Deboo, vice-chairperson, National Commission for Minorities, requesting him to seek clarification and an apology from the Governor.
“Each one of us, individually and collectively as a community, is gravely hurt and saddened by the complete distortion of historical events,” said a community member who equated the remark to hate speech.
Viraf Mehta, chairman of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, the community’s largest trust, said the comments have caused an outrage among fellow Parsis. “Why are people making such loose statements about a community that has given so much to the country. It is a very irresponsible statement,” said Mehta. It did not look like a ‘slip of tongue’. There are a lot of interpretations whether what the governor said was really an apology.”
Deboo said that Devvrat has regretted the remarks. “The governor said it was a slip of tongue. He was talking about invaders who came from Afghanistan and Britain. The word ‘Parsi’ was mentioned by mistake. He is an educated person. What he wanted to say was that invaders could loot the country because Indians were not united. He has great regard for Parsis.
Local media has reported that Devvrat has regretted the remarks. He said he had no intention of hurting anyone’s feelings and that he has deep faith and respect for the Parsi community. Appreciating the historical, cultural and social heritage of the Parsi community, Devvrat said the community has created a unique identity through its peaceful nature and contribution to the country’s progress.
