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The proposed sale of a 2.5-acre sanatorium in Sanjan — a site of immense historical significance to the Parsi-Irani Zoroastrian community — has triggered an emotional debate within the community, reported TOI.Situated around 150 kilometres from Mumbai, Sanjan holds deep spiritual and cultural meaning: it was one of the first landing points of the Parsis in India after their flight from Iran over 1,300 years ago.The property, managed by the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) Trust Funds, has reportedly been running at a loss for years. However, the decision to sell it to private bidders has met with sharp opposition from several community groups and individuals, who argue that the site should remain under Parsi stewardship. In recent days, offers worth several crores have been made by various Parsi trusts and philanthropists hoping to take over the estate and prevent its sale to developers.According to the report, last week, the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshti (WAPIZ) placed a ₹5 crore bid to acquire the property, calling it a move to “preserve a sacred piece of our community’s history.” Live EventsWAPIZ chairperson Meher Panthaki said, “Sanjan is where our ancestors first landed and where the sacred fire, Pak Iranshah, was enthroned for centuries. Losing this property would mean erasing part of our shared memory.”WZO defends decision Dinshaw Tamboly, chairman of the WZO Trust Funds, defended the organisation’s decision, stating that maintaining the Bai Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Sanatorium had become financially unsustainable. Between 2020 and 2025, the sanatorium generated about ₹16 lakh in income against expenses exceeding ₹63 lakh. Bed occupancy over the past five years averaged barely 11 percent. “Trustees unanimously agreed that monetising a non-performing asset was a practical step,” Tamboly explained to the news outlet. “The proceeds can fund charitable initiatives — from healthcare and education to poverty relief and community welfare.”Tamboly emphasised that the sale process would be transparent and legally compliant, carried out under the supervision of the Charity Commissioner. “Our trust deed allows for the sale of property, and all due diligence is being followed,” he added.Calls for preservation Despite reassurances, the proposed sale has stirred strong emotions. At a recent meeting in Mumbai between the WZO trustees and concerned members of the community, no consensus could be reached. Pareecheher Davierwalla, whose family sold the property to WZO more than three decades ago with funds from the late philanthropist Scyla Vachha’s estate, said the decision has left Parsis “shocked and heartbroken.” She warned that any commercial development could threaten the neighbouring Sanjan Memorial Column, erected in 1917 to commemorate the Parsis’ arrival in India.“The memorial and the sanatorium share a boundary — large-scale construction could bring noise, congestion, and pollution, affecting this sacred site,” Davierwalla told TOI.Lawyer and author Armin Wandrewala urged introspection within the community, saying, “If we wish to preserve our heritage, we must also patronise these properties. Many of our dharamshalas and sanatoriums are underused. Preservation must go hand in hand with participation.”As the debate continues, the Sanjan estate stands as more than just a piece of land — it represents a living link to a 1,300-year-old journey of faith, resilience, and identity.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Read More News onZoroastrianParsi communitysale of sanatoriumWZO Trust FundsWorld Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO)World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshti (WAPIZ)wzoSanjanwapiz (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online....moreless (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onZoroastrianParsi communitysale of sanatoriumWZO Trust FundsWorld Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO)World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshti (WAPIZ)wzoSanjanwapiz(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online....moreless Prime ExclusivesInvestment IdeasStock Report PlusePaperWealth Edition123View all Stories
