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Death with dignity.All the eight Zoroastrian high priests of India have defended the religion's ancient system
of disposal of the dead (Dokhmenashini), which depends primarily on the sun's rays and birds of prey. The system, which has been
described as eco-friendly, has come under attack from reformists within the community, who feel that there should be a rethink on this
mode of disposal due to the lack of vultures around the Towers of Silence (Doongarwadi) at Kemps Corner (Mumbai) in recent
years. The high priests also urged the trustees of the Bombay Parsi Panchayat (BPP) not to succumb to the
pressure of the Disposal of the Dead with Dignity - Action Group (DDD-AG), which consists of a small but influential group of Parsis
who are in favour of cremation. According to Zoroastrians, both cremation and burial of their dead are 'irreligious'. The orthodox section of the community, including the priestly class, said that the four-day after-death ceremonies
could be performed for those who chose the ancient Dokhmenashini system. It is interesting to note in this
context that Behram (Busybee) Contractor, one of India's leading humourists, forsook Dokhmenshini for cremation.
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