There are some important features of the Dawoodi Bohra community which are in way of their open defiance, which want to list down for discussion:
1) Sociologically speaking a petty business community is more tradition-bound and change resistant. Even today in 21st century at least in India no Bohra family has reached a top position in business or industry. The industrial entrepreneurial class is far more dynamic and progressive in its outlook than a class of businessmen. This fact is more evident from the various Burhani Expos organised recently. It also exposes the policy of Dai’s family of taking credit of the community’s achievements without a naya paisa support from them.
2) After the on set of World wars a slight shift took place in the economical condition of few Bohra families, but their social and religious outlook did not change with the same rate. Their conservatism had much deeper roots. That to some extent still exists.
3) Most of them who made easy money were illiterate and needed recognition by pouring money into Dai’s coffers. That was the beginning of enhancing Dai’s power whose predecessors in office had lived in debt. Unfortunately this change came at the time of Sayedna Taher Saifuddin who was ambitious of worldly comforts and power. He was aware that his grand father Sayedna Najmuddin had to face a serious situation as he was not unanimously accepted as Daiul-Mutlaq and had to manoeuvre the situation by luring rather than harassing his opponents as he was not strong enough materially.
4) During 51st Dai’s time the challenge was not on religious issues. It was secular in nature as the elites in the community were clamouring for modern western education. Thus he met the challenge of his opponents because of his strong material base by following a policy of persecution.
5) The shrewd and scheming Sayedna Taher Saifuddin devised various ingenious means of extracting his share in the increasing prosperity of the community and went on becoming more and more powerful to frustrate the efforts of his opponents. So much so that his power became monstrous as Morarji Desai had described. It became a vicious circle difficult to break.
6) Due to the political situation then Ismaili community was most organised around their Imams with absolute loyalty. Sayedna Taher Saifuddin by including Dai’s name in the Misaq Nama along with Imam had taken full advantage of this loyalty that made him a commanding leader rather than a mere religious guide.
7) With constant extraction of money from the community by way of religious taxes, tithes and personal offerings Dai’s family has become the most rich family in comparison to other Muslim communities and hence they can buy Muslims Ulemas and Muslim leadership. They do not want to support the reform movement directed to weaken Bohra high priest’s financial power.
The role of the government both at state and centre level is the same as their aim is to retain power.9) Because of resistance to modern education and denial of democratic and individual rights to Bohras it has resulted in stunting the intellectual growth of Dawoodi Bohras in general. Quite a few Dawoodi Bohras are economically well off but there are hardly any writer, scientist, artist or litterateur of National or International repute. Most of the rich Bohras take pride in constructing expensive toilet of Dai than houses for the poor Bohras. Even from the filthy rich Sayedna’s family no one has earned any name.
10) The role of the ordained priest on occasions like Nikah and burial, concept of Raza, Ruqa Chitthi etc. are other stumbling blocks in the Bohra community.
11) Lastly the modern professionals like doctors, lawyers, architects and engineers depend on members of their community as clientele which they do not want to loose and remain confirm to the norms of the community.
Dai’s family feels that any liberalisation would result in eroding its authority. An increased regimentation would result in increased rebellion and would be more dangerous. Let us wait and see how the greedy arrogants of Dai’s family handle this delicate situation. I personally feel their days are numbered.
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