Humsafar
though you have not posted these points directly to me but never the less i will like to comment
Humsafar wrote:
1) Accountability/Transparency : what happens to the tens of millions of money collected from the community? Reformists demand that there should be a proper account for this collection (as per Hazrat Ali's integrity regarding baitul maal) and that the money be spent on the welfare of the community.
there is a basic difference in our belief in Dai, you believe him to be Kul Masoom where by he can commit mistakes so accountability can be asked, where as all the DB barring Progressives believe him to be vicegerent of Imam and acting on his behalf. so we dont believe him to be committing any mistakes and whatever he does is either for the betterment of the society or has some deeper meaning which is not clear at the moment.
You have Quoted Moula Ali(as) example of Baitul maal, so you will also remember that Fatimid Imams never declared any balance sheet despite being the King and accountable in you words to society at large
2) Democratic, autonomous setup of local jamaats: This is deliberately misinterpreted as democratic election of the Dai. This is not true. By democratic set up, we mean that jamaat managing committees must be elected by the local members and NOT handpicked by the "ousider" aamil. By autonomous we mean that the affairs of the jamaat be run by the managing committee in the interest and benefit of its members, and that it be accountable to its members and not the aamil or the Kothar. Also, we demand that all local Bohra properties should be owned, maintained and managed by the local jamaats.
I very well know and understand that Reformists wants a democratic setup, and they dont question religious duties of Dai. so lets concentrate on democtratc point only
when you talk about Jamaats elected democratically then in the hind sight democracy run in present state of India come into sight, where corruption, nepotism and money rules the roost, now in a ideal state nothing of this sort will ever happen, but you will also agree that idealism leads to corruption in few years time when the present leaders who fought for it wane into oblivion.
in short democracy is not viable in a vast scenario, and when 350 plus jamaats will have issue where will they run for decisions, to local courts where decisions come after years of turmoil and in your lifetime if you are lucky or to Dai who has no powers except doing his religious duties.
3) End of social-boycott: There is no justification for its practice in our tradition or in our books, and it amounts to the violation of human rights.
Social Boycott is ended way back, but what i have heard is that its other way round where Reformists dont allow any main stream Bohras into their Jamaat khana in Udaipur.
4) End of misaaq and raza (in their current form and practice): These two tenets have been used by the Kothar as instruments of control and harassment. Again, there is no justification of these practices in our tradition or in our books.
Both have their value and were a part of Ismaili tradition, if you want to discuss the same i can point you to the thread where A A engineer and few other have discussed it extensively
5) Freedom of conscience: Beyond the religious sphere, the dai and his establishment has no business with the secular affairs of Bohras.
Freedom of conscience or freedom from Religion ?
6) End of the cult surrounding the dai: The dai is an important figure in the bohra scheme of things, and is essentially a spiritual guide but no more. His worship and deification as a demigod is unislamic and goes against our Ismaili/Mustalian faith and tradition.
No deitification is being done, if some one elevates him to the level he is not or call him or believes in him as Allah then its shirq and totally uncalled for and not at all endorsed by Kothar
7) End to taxes: Bohras are subjected to a number of taxes (wajebat etc.) from cradle to grave, and most of it is collected under duress. This practice must end. However, whatever legitimate taxes that must be collected must belong to the local jamaat. The jamaat must spend that money for the benefit and welfare of its members - and other poor jamaats - if they have extra funds to spare. The money from the people belongs to the people - not to the Dai or the kothar
Taxes were always there, its the practice of Shias to gives 1/5th of their income to Imam and we follow the same, people are not asked to pay khumus and whatever they pay is much less then 20% of their salaries.
already required amount is being spent on the well fare of the community and Dai and his family earn enough money in Ziyafats to take care of their life style
The Kothar is an illegitimate, cruel and unnecessary institution. It has not right to exist.
first of all its not illegitimate as you will need people to run the community or to do admin stuff and these people are called Kothar. just because of few isolated instances you can not malign a perfectly running machinery
These are the main issues, but remember that control and coercion has increased many fold since the reform movement started. The cult of the dai and the royal family and the kothar are firmly entrenched into the Bohra psyche and reality. This is will give you an idea of what we reformists are up against. Besides, the kothar has the power of propaganda of which you and other abdes are perfect victims.
When Insaaf saheb talks about achievements of reform movement he says due to Reformists coercion and other practices have stopped and now you say it has increased so which reformists word we should accept.
P.S.
this has nothing to do with current discussion and its for my personnel info
By any chance can you confirm what are Business interests(source of income) of A. A. Engineer