The Parsi Punchayet case: The imperative of inclusiveness

Date

May 5, 2011

Post by

arZan

The judgement of the Bombay High Court in Jamsheed Kanga versus Parsi Punchayet Funds and Properties, has raised a big controversy within the Parsi community. Much of the controversy is due to uninformed public opinion; it is also created by vested interests. It is unfortunate Method To Back Ur Ex Wife that so brilliant and lucidly expounded a judgement should become the subject of unnecessary controversy.

By Navroz Seervai | Times Of India

 

Having read the judgement thrice, I believe its message is best summed up in the words of the Pope: “Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; The proper study of mankind is man”. In contrast, much of the criticism in the Parsi press, recalls Macbeth’s lament: “…full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”.

The appellants moved the court for determining questions relating to the power of the trustees of the Punchayet; the rights of the beneficiaries under a Deed of Trust of 1884; and for the proper administration of the Trust”. The immediate cause for moving the court was a ban imposed by the trustees on two Parsi priests from performing prayers or religious ceremonies at Doongerwadi and two Agiaries, which are vested in the Trust. The ban was imposed because the priests had conducted irreligious ceremonies, according to the trustees. Thus, the trustees exercising powers under the Trust Deed, had sat in judgement over the religious activities of the priests and members of the community. This was objected to by the appellants. .

Interpreting the Trust Deed, the court held that the trustees were not entitled to prevent any ordained Parsi Zorastrian priest from performing religious rites and ceremonies at Doongerwadi and the two Agiaries; the Deed did not empower the trustees to restrain Parsi Zorastrians in their choice of an ordained Priest to conduct religious prayers and ceremonies at Doongerwadi and the two Agiaries; the ban imposed on the two priests was not within the power and authority of the trustees under the Deed.

The attack on the judgement was predictable in its virulence; what is worse, the Judges have been attacked — much of the criticism being wholly unjustified. This was in keeping with the entirely unjustified attacks in the “Parsi” press, during the course of the litigation, against the appellants, the interveners, and their counsel — attacks of which the bench was constrained to deal in measured terms: “The cohesiveness of a faith is maintained by dialogue, not division. The impassioned plea of the appellants even before this court for a recourse to reason, has only been met with reprisals — reprisals against the appellants, the interveners and their counsel”.

As it is not open to Judges to defend themselves, it is left to others to do so. Justice Chandrachud has been accused of being disrespectful of the high priests by referring to them as “certain priests”. The judgement however reveals that the only place where the term “certain priests” is used is when Justice Chandrachud merely reproduces the words used in the pleadings. Justice Chandrachud has used no such words when referring to the high priests. The allegation is therefore totally baseless and unwarranted. I could multiply such instances of unjustified criticism, but refrain from doing so.

What then is the significance of the conclusions arrived at in this landmark judgement? The two most significant are that:

One, it draws a clear distinction between secularity in a country like India and matters of religion, drawing as it does on the fundamental principles laid down in our Constitution – principles which could well be said to reflect the wise counsel of Jesus, when he said: “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (St Matthew).

Two, it cuts through the clutter of specious religious arguments and emphasizes the essential distinction between race and religion — something that is regrettably often lost sight of.

Furthermore, the judgement delivers a message to the community more powerful than the ruling itself — clearly it is a wakeup call for a community that is today suffering from lack of leadership and vision. It is apparent that the Judges were horrified by the schisms being created by the leadership itself, of the minuscule Parsi community; and it contains a plaintive appeal for bodies like the Punchayet to be less divisive and more inclusive in their approach. This would be possible if the Punchayet dealt, as it is empowered to do, with secular issues, leaving it to individuals to conduct their own personal religious affairs. It is not a coincidence that when the matter was carried to the Supreme Court, the Bench expressed similar views, and sent the parties to the mediation of Sriram Panchu.

The appellants and the interveners have done great service to the Parsi community, and need to be commended. So too do their lawyers, led by the redoubtable Iqbal Chagla. They have braved calumny heaped upon them by the respondents, and those that espouse their cause. I am glad that these personal attacks did not deter the appellants, the interveners, or their lawyers from pursuing their cause. The judgement vindicates them in full measure.

(Navroz Seervai is an eminent lawyer and senior counsel in Mumbai)

More: Method To Back Ur Ex Wife

54 Comments

  1. Barak Aga

    Recently, the Supreme Court has come down very heavily on the Khap Punchayets of Haryana.

    The Khap Punchayet too took the same defence that no law can come in the way of their centuries old traditions (which are barbaric to say the least).

    The present Board of Trustees is treading down a very dangerous path.

    What happened in Abottabad must serve as a lesson to the Zoroastrian community.

    Osama Bin Laden was permitted to hijack the Muslim faith, distort it, and put it to macabre use.

    He brought misery to members of his own community, and made Muslims the object of scorn, hatred and suspicion.

    The number of Zoroastrians in the world is too miniscule to attempt the experiment that Osama Bin Laden did.

    The Zoroastrian community being an erudite and principled community must shun the politics of falsehood, racism and divisiveness.

  2. Dara Darabshaw Aria

    I wish & pray that the BPP Trustees swallow their Ego and do not meddle into Religious matters. Let them give priorities to solve housing problems. Even here they should not do this on commercial basis but consider on merits individual cases. DO NOT MAKE MONEY OUT OF TRUST PROPERTIES.

  3. Kershasp Noble

    If parsi punchayet dose not have the right then their has to do some body to correct the wrong practice of priests and one cannot do what ever he wants if he is a priest.

  4. Barak Aga

    Recently, the Supreme Court has come down very heavily on the Khap Punchayets of Haryana.

    The Khap Punchayet too took the same defence that no law can come in the way of their centuries old traditions (which are barbaric to say the least).

    The present Board of Trustees is treading down a very dangerous path.

    What happened in Abottabad must serve as a lesson to the Zoroastrian community.

    Osama Bin Laden was permitted to hijack the Muslim faith, distort it, and put it to macabre use.

    He brought misery to members of his own community, and made Muslims the object of scorn, hatred and suspicion.

    The number of Zoroastrians in the world is too miniscule to attempt the experiment that Osama Bin Laden did.

    The Zoroastrian community being an erudite and principled community must shun the politics of falsehood, racism and divisiveness.

  5. Barak Aga

    Recently, the Supreme Court has come down very heavily on the Khap Punchayets of Haryana.

    The Khap Punchayet too took the same defence that no law can come in the way of their centuries old traditions (which are barbaric to say the least).

    The present Board of Trustees is treading down a very dangerous path.

    What happened in Abottabad must serve as a lesson to the Zoroastrian community.

    Osama Bin Laden was permitted to hijack the Muslim faith, distort it, and put it to macabre use.

    He brought misery to members of his own community, and made Muslims the object of scorn, hatred and suspicion.

    The number of Zoroastrians in the world is too miniscule to attempt the experiment that Osama Bin Laden did.

    The Zoroastrian community being an erudite and principled community must shun the politics of falsehood, racism and divisiveness.

  6. Barak Aga

    Recently, the Supreme Court has come down very heavily on the Khap Punchayets of Haryana.

    The Khap Punchayet too took the same defence that no law can come in the way of their centuries old traditions (which are barbaric to say the least).

    The present Board of Trustees is treading down a very dangerous path.

    What happened in Abottabad must serve as a lesson to the Zoroastrian community.

    Osama Bin Laden was permitted to hijack the Muslim faith, distort it, and put it to macabre use.

    He brought misery to members of his own community, and made Muslims the object of scorn, hatred and suspicion.

    The number of Zoroastrians in the world is too miniscule to attempt the experiment that Osama Bin Laden did.

    The Zoroastrian community being an erudite and principled community must shun the politics of falsehood, racism and divisiveness.

  7. Dara Darabshaw Aria

    I wish & pray that the BPP Trustees swallow their Ego and do not meddle into Religious matters. Let them give priorities to solve housing problems. Even here they should not do this on commercial basis but consider on merits individual cases. DO NOT MAKE MONEY OUT OF TRUST PROPERTIES.

  8. Dara Darabshaw Aria

    I wish & pray that the BPP Trustees swallow their Ego and do not meddle into Religious matters. Let them give priorities to solve housing problems. Even here they should not do this on commercial basis but consider on merits individual cases. DO NOT MAKE MONEY OUT OF TRUST PROPERTIES.

  9. Dara Darabshaw Aria

    I wish & pray that the BPP Trustees swallow their Ego and do not meddle into Religious matters. Let them give priorities to solve housing problems. Even here they should not do this on commercial basis but consider on merits individual cases. DO NOT MAKE MONEY OUT OF TRUST PROPERTIES.

  10. Kershasp Noble

    If parsi punchayet dose not have the right then their has to do some body to correct the wrong practice of priests and one cannot do what ever he wants if he is a priest.

  11. Kershasp Noble

    If parsi punchayet dose not have the right then their has to do some body to correct the wrong practice of priests and one cannot do what ever he wants if he is a priest.

  12. Kershasp Noble

    If parsi punchayet dose not have the right then their has to do some body to correct the wrong practice of priests and one cannot do what ever he wants if he is a priest.

  13. BEHROZE.

    Mr.Noble,
    If what has been done by these ‘defrocked’ Priests is ‘wrong practice’ as you say, how come identical acts of your HIGH ( ! )Priests become “RIGHT” practices? Is it because they are ‘high’ so their similar actions can be overlooked but not of lesser priests.? Actually such HIGH (!)Priests should be ashamed of participating in this FATWA. It only shows their lack of conscience. THATS THE PLAIN TRUTH.But to be more charitable to them, they have allowed themselves to be reduced to becoming ‘rubber stamps’ of manipulators who have made Religious propaganda as a means of livelihood.

  14. BEHROZE.

    Mr.Noble,
    If what has been done by these ‘defrocked’ Priests is ‘wrong practice’ as you say, how come identical acts of your HIGH ( ! )Priests become “RIGHT” practices? Is it because they are ‘high’ so their similar actions can be overlooked but not of lesser priests.? Actually such HIGH (!)Priests should be ashamed of participating in this FATWA. It only shows their lack of conscience. THATS THE PLAIN TRUTH.But to be more charitable to them, they have allowed themselves to be reduced to becoming ‘rubber stamps’ of manipulators who have made Religious propaganda as a means of livelihood.

  15. BEHROZE.

    Mr.Noble,
    If what has been done by these ‘defrocked’ Priests is ‘wrong practice’ as you say, how come identical acts of your HIGH ( ! )Priests become “RIGHT” practices? Is it because they are ‘high’ so their similar actions can be overlooked but not of lesser priests.? Actually such HIGH (!)Priests should be ashamed of participating in this FATWA. It only shows their lack of conscience. THATS THE PLAIN TRUTH.But to be more charitable to them, they have allowed themselves to be reduced to becoming ‘rubber stamps’ of manipulators who have made Religious propaganda as a means of livelihood.

  16. BEHROZE.

    Mr.Noble,
    If what has been done by these ‘defrocked’ Priests is ‘wrong practice’ as you say, how come identical acts of your HIGH ( ! )Priests become “RIGHT” practices? Is it because they are ‘high’ so their similar actions can be overlooked but not of lesser priests.? Actually such HIGH (!)Priests should be ashamed of participating in this FATWA. It only shows their lack of conscience. THATS THE PLAIN TRUTH.But to be more charitable to them, they have allowed themselves to be reduced to becoming ‘rubber stamps’ of manipulators who have made Religious propaganda as a means of livelihood.

  17. Shaimak.

    There is nothing noble about our clergy. As pointed out by one Behroze here,the priests themselves are responsible for what we are facing to-day. Only white thing about them is their flowing Jamo. Had they thought thrice instead of performing Wadia Navjotes and other exceptions under the so called burden of gratitude, B.P.P. probably would have had better result in the Court case. If the High priests indulge in dual standards, the followers are bound to follow them in their actions. As they say, “jeva raja, teva praja’ meaning thereby that public follow their rulers.

  18. Shaimak.

    There is nothing noble about our clergy. As pointed out by one Behroze here,the priests themselves are responsible for what we are facing to-day. Only white thing about them is their flowing Jamo. Had they thought thrice instead of performing Wadia Navjotes and other exceptions under the so called burden of gratitude, B.P.P. probably would have had better result in the Court case. If the High priests indulge in dual standards, the followers are bound to follow them in their actions. As they say, “jeva raja, teva praja’ meaning thereby that public follow their rulers.

  19. Shaimak.

    There is nothing noble about our clergy. As pointed out by one Behroze here,the priests themselves are responsible for what we are facing to-day. Only white thing about them is their flowing Jamo. Had they thought thrice instead of performing Wadia Navjotes and other exceptions under the so called burden of gratitude, B.P.P. probably would have had better result in the Court case. If the High priests indulge in dual standards, the followers are bound to follow them in their actions. As they say, “jeva raja, teva praja’ meaning thereby that public follow their rulers.

  20. Kurushthegreat

    Is it order for a High Priests to ‘do whatever he wants’ if he is a (HIGH) priest., Kershasp?”Is it correct,for a High Priest to perform Navjote of an octogenarian from Christianity ? Please do not say it is an O L D matter. Why then insist that both parents being practicing Parsi Zoroastrians? Why also say that Navjote can be performed only before puberty.If a High Priests allows conduct of Uthamna at Towers of Silence of an non Parsi industrialist is it a RIGHT ACT according to you? Persons sitting in judgment on conduct of others must possess unimpeachable judiciousness and a blemish less image. Do these persecuting High Priests claim to have these attributes?

  21. KhoremandShahparast

    Is it order for a High Priests to ‘do whatever he wants’ if he is a (HIGH) priest., Kershasp?”Is it correct,for a High Priest to perform Navjote of an octogenarian from Christianity ? Please do not say it is an O L D matter. Why then insist that both parents being practicing Parsi Zoroastrians? Why also say that Navjote can be performed only before puberty.If a High Priests allows conduct of Uthamna at Towers of Silence of an non Parsi industrialist is it a RIGHT ACT according to you? Persons sitting in judgment on conduct of others must possess unimpeachable judiciousness and a blemish less image. Do these persecuting High Priests claim to have these attributes? Yes, some priests do perform ceremonies of what you call conversions, for sake of earning livelihood and your ‘worthy Highs’ for a couple of flats, a fixed monthly allowance and free Medical treatment at the cost of the Trust on which the ‘convert’ was at helm during his life time. Please give up this thinking that Sauce for the goose can be different for the gander. Do unto others as you wish to be done for you or conversely, -Don’t do unto others what you would not wish to be done to you Earlier these HIGH priest recollect what they might have learnt in school days better for them only. What is a HIGH priest other than some another Priests puts on a Woolen Shawl on a Priest and declares him to be HIGH. That was the drama seen by me at Navsari a few months back.

  22. Kurushthegreat

    Is it order for a High Priests to ‘do whatever he wants’ if he is a (HIGH) priest., Kershasp?”Is it correct,for a High Priest to perform Navjote of an octogenarian from Christianity ? Please do not say it is an O L D matter. Why then insist that both parents being practicing Parsi Zoroastrians? Why also say that Navjote can be performed only before puberty.If a High Priests allows conduct of Uthamna at Towers of Silence of an non Parsi industrialist is it a RIGHT ACT according to you? Persons sitting in judgment on conduct of others must possess unimpeachable judiciousness and a blemish less image. Do these persecuting High Priests claim to have these attributes?

  23. Kurushthegreat

    Is it order for a High Priests to ‘do whatever he wants’ if he is a (HIGH) priest., Kershasp?”Is it correct,for a High Priest to perform Navjote of an octogenarian from Christianity ? Please do not say it is an O L D matter. Why then insist that both parents being practicing Parsi Zoroastrians? Why also say that Navjote can be performed only before puberty.If a High Priests allows conduct of Uthamna at Towers of Silence of an non Parsi industrialist is it a RIGHT ACT according to you? Persons sitting in judgment on conduct of others must possess unimpeachable judiciousness and a blemish less image. Do these persecuting High Priests claim to have these attributes?

  24. KhoremandShahparast

    Is it order for a High Priests to ‘do whatever he wants’ if he is a (HIGH) priest., Kershasp?”Is it correct,for a High Priest to perform Navjote of an octogenarian from Christianity ? Please do not say it is an O L D matter. Why then insist that both parents being practicing Parsi Zoroastrians? Why also say that Navjote can be performed only before puberty.If a High Priests allows conduct of Uthamna at Towers of Silence of an non Parsi industrialist is it a RIGHT ACT according to you? Persons sitting in judgment on conduct of others must possess unimpeachable judiciousness and a blemish less image. Do these persecuting High Priests claim to have these attributes? Yes, some priests do perform ceremonies of what you call conversions, for sake of earning livelihood and your ‘worthy Highs’ for a couple of flats, a fixed monthly allowance and free Medical treatment at the cost of the Trust on which the ‘convert’ was at helm during his life time. Please give up this thinking that Sauce for the goose can be different for the gander. Do unto others as you wish to be done for you or conversely, -Don’t do unto others what you would not wish to be done to you Earlier these HIGH priest recollect what they might have learnt in school days better for them only. What is a HIGH priest other than some another Priests puts on a Woolen Shawl on a Priest and declares him to be HIGH. That was the drama seen by me at Navsari a few months back.

  25. KhoremandShahparast

    Is it order for a High Priests to ‘do whatever he wants’ if he is a (HIGH) priest., Kershasp?”Is it correct,for a High Priest to perform Navjote of an octogenarian from Christianity ? Please do not say it is an O L D matter. Why then insist that both parents being practicing Parsi Zoroastrians? Why also say that Navjote can be performed only before puberty.If a High Priests allows conduct of Uthamna at Towers of Silence of an non Parsi industrialist is it a RIGHT ACT according to you? Persons sitting in judgment on conduct of others must possess unimpeachable judiciousness and a blemish less image. Do these persecuting High Priests claim to have these attributes? Yes, some priests do perform ceremonies of what you call conversions, for sake of earning livelihood and your ‘worthy Highs’ for a couple of flats, a fixed monthly allowance and free Medical treatment at the cost of the Trust on which the ‘convert’ was at helm during his life time. Please give up this thinking that Sauce for the goose can be different for the gander. Do unto others as you wish to be done for you or conversely, -Don’t do unto others what you would not wish to be done to you Earlier these HIGH priest recollect what they might have learnt in school days better for them only. What is a HIGH priest other than some another Priests puts on a Woolen Shawl on a Priest and declares him to be HIGH. That was the drama seen by me at Navsari a few months back.

  26. Arzan

    What is happening to our community? I am disgusted when our community is being compared with Muslims and Osama? Are we terrorists ? Have you people no shame? Is this what democracy is all about.? You faceless bunch of paper tigers. have the balls to come to India and speak in an open forum what is mentioned in your post. Write and open letter to the BPP or to the high piest if you are convinced. write about it in the newspapers but please Barak refrain from such comparisions. We are ashamed to have such a creature such as your in our community that is if you are born from parsi parents.
    I am sorry for the tone but there are limits and lines to be drawn at some point.

  27. Rathestar.

    U call others faceless. On this blog everybody is faceless and that includes you too.
    Even if some of us write in News papers, how will u see our faces?. I for one do not need your advise. Those who claim to bed born of Parsi parents should first think of writing words like B……ds & balls.. Before preaching, pl ensure to practice your pompous advise.

  28. Byram.

    We are  comparably worse than KHAP. Khap are against alliances within the Gotra. At least that is Scientific. Whereas our High Priests and their Letter writers at Dobhi Talao want intr faith alliances.

  29. Byram.

    We are  comparably worse than KHAP. Khap are against alliances within the Gotra. At least that is Scientific. Whereas our High Priests and their Letter writers at Dobhi Talao want intr faith alliances.

  30. Byram.

    We are  comparably worse than KHAP. Khap are against alliances within the Gotra. At least that is Scientific. Whereas our High Priests and their Letter writers at Dobhi Talao want intr faith alliances.

  31. WAPIZ ADMIRER.

    One wonders what this judgement has actually achieved. One ‘defrocked’ Priest accepted the ban at the initial stage itself, may be due to intimidation ” Gher Khaali Karravshoo”. But the other one in all probability is likely to cut a more sorry figure  because the  rumour  in  Parsee Circles is that he too should accept the ban as a part of so called mediation to avoid further legal cost of Appeal at Supreme Court level.. This is likely to make  this one priest ‘glorified’ by reformist the BIGGEST CULPRIT FOR AVOIDABLE WASTAGE OF COMMUNITY TRUST FUNDS MEANT FOR CHARITY IN WASTEFUL LITIGATION BECAUSE LIKE THE OTHER PRIEST HAD HE TOO HAD ACCEPTED THE BAN,THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO LITIGATION IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THEREFORE QUESTION OF APPEAL WOULD NOT HAVE ARISEN. Shame on such wavering  minded person causing drain of public funds meant for poor. Any wonder the priests in our community are ridiculed..
    A WAPIZ ADMIRER.

  32. WAPIZ ADMIRER.

    One wonders what this judgement has actually achieved. One ‘defrocked’ Priest accepted the ban at the initial stage itself, may be due to intimidation ” Gher Khaali Karravshoo”. But the other one in all probability is likely to cut a more sorry figure  because the  rumour  in  Parsee Circles is that he too should accept the ban as a part of so called mediation to avoid further legal cost of Appeal at Supreme Court level.. This is likely to make  this one priest ‘glorified’ by reformist the BIGGEST CULPRIT FOR AVOIDABLE WASTAGE OF COMMUNITY TRUST FUNDS MEANT FOR CHARITY IN WASTEFUL LITIGATION BECAUSE LIKE THE OTHER PRIEST HAD HE TOO HAD ACCEPTED THE BAN,THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO LITIGATION IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THEREFORE QUESTION OF APPEAL WOULD NOT HAVE ARISEN. Shame on such wavering  minded person causing drain of public funds meant for poor. Any wonder the priests in our community are ridiculed..
    A WAPIZ ADMIRER.

  33. WAPIZ ADMIRER.

    One wonders what this judgement has actually achieved. One ‘defrocked’ Priest accepted the ban at the initial stage itself, may be due to intimidation ” Gher Khaali Karravshoo”. But the other one in all probability is likely to cut a more sorry figure  because the  rumour  in  Parsee Circles is that he too should accept the ban as a part of so called mediation to avoid further legal cost of Appeal at Supreme Court level.. This is likely to make  this one priest ‘glorified’ by reformist the BIGGEST CULPRIT FOR AVOIDABLE WASTAGE OF COMMUNITY TRUST FUNDS MEANT FOR CHARITY IN WASTEFUL LITIGATION BECAUSE LIKE THE OTHER PRIEST HAD HE TOO HAD ACCEPTED THE BAN,THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO LITIGATION IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THEREFORE QUESTION OF APPEAL WOULD NOT HAVE ARISEN. Shame on such wavering  minded person causing drain of public funds meant for poor. Any wonder the priests in our community are ridiculed..
    A WAPIZ ADMIRER.

  34. Barak Aga

    Ludicrous : The BPP permits non-Zoroastrian watchmen, gardeners / caretakers to freely roam the Dongerwadi premises, and in the vicinity of the Dokhma, but it spends thousands on banning Zoroastrian priests from the funerary site. Non-Zoroastrian mourners are not allowed to accompany the corpse till the Dokhma, but mourners are greeted by non-Zoroastrian staff / gardeners, expecting tips, near the Dongerwadi Fire Temple (once the funeral is over). At Dongerwadi, if obsequies are to be performed at 2:00 AM, it is a non-Zoroastrian watchman who escorts mourners till the Dongerwadi Fire Temple.

  35. Barak Aga

    Ludicrous : The BPP permits non-Zoroastrian watchmen, gardeners / caretakers to freely roam the Dongerwadi premises, and in the vicinity of the Dokhma, but it spends thousands on banning Zoroastrian priests from the funerary site. Non-Zoroastrian mourners are not allowed to accompany the corpse till the Dokhma, but mourners are greeted by non-Zoroastrian staff / gardeners, expecting tips, near the Dongerwadi Fire Temple (once the funeral is over). At Dongerwadi, if obsequies are to be performed at 2:00 AM, it is a non-Zoroastrian watchman who escorts mourners till the Dongerwadi Fire Temple.

  36. Barak Aga

    Ludicrous : The BPP permits non-Zoroastrian watchmen, gardeners / caretakers to freely roam the Dongerwadi premises, and in the vicinity of the Dokhma, but it spends thousands on banning Zoroastrian priests from the funerary site. Non-Zoroastrian mourners are not allowed to accompany the corpse till the Dokhma, but mourners are greeted by non-Zoroastrian staff / gardeners, expecting tips, near the Dongerwadi Fire Temple (once the funeral is over). At Dongerwadi, if obsequies are to be performed at 2:00 AM, it is a non-Zoroastrian watchman who escorts mourners till the Dongerwadi Fire Temple.

  37. K. Broacha

    No wonder,Contents of  WAPIZ
    admirer has stated  above appears to be
    exactly what I overheard a few days back. Last week,   a threesome Parsee gentlemen (clad in White,
    with Cravats) having  their lunch in a
    Parsee restaurant at Fort, talking  the
    same thing. They were rightly complaining that if the proceedings of Mediation
    were in camera, then how details were known to B.P.P. staff. I think it would
    be in fitness of things   to sue  those who compelled BPP to drain their
    charity funds for a wasteful cause and what prevented the  non martyr Priest to submit to the ban in the
    first instance. Mediation  has been
    reduced to mockery.

  38. K. Broacha

    No wonder,Contents of  WAPIZ
    admirer has stated  above appears to be
    exactly what I overheard a few days back. Last week,   a threesome Parsee gentlemen (clad in White,
    with Cravats) having  their lunch in a
    Parsee restaurant at Fort, talking  the
    same thing. They were rightly complaining that if the proceedings of Mediation
    were in camera, then how details were known to B.P.P. staff. I think it would
    be in fitness of things   to sue  those who compelled BPP to drain their
    charity funds for a wasteful cause and what prevented the  non martyr Priest to submit to the ban in the
    first instance. Mediation  has been
    reduced to mockery.

  39. K. Broacha

    No wonder,Contents of  WAPIZ
    admirer has stated  above appears to be
    exactly what I overheard a few days back. Last week,   a threesome Parsee gentlemen (clad in White,
    with Cravats) having  their lunch in a
    Parsee restaurant at Fort, talking  the
    same thing. They were rightly complaining that if the proceedings of Mediation
    were in camera, then how details were known to B.P.P. staff. I think it would
    be in fitness of things   to sue  those who compelled BPP to drain their
    charity funds for a wasteful cause and what prevented the  non martyr Priest to submit to the ban in the
    first instance. Mediation  has been
    reduced to mockery.

  40. xyz

    BPP trustees earn kickbacks from advocates who file cases in the court, so they earn their share of profits which they have spent for canvassing at the time of elections. A clear case of earning unaccounted income.

  41. xyz

    BPP trustees earn kickbacks from advocates who file cases in the court, so they earn their share of profits which they have spent for canvassing at the time of elections. A clear case of earning unaccounted income.

  42. xyz

    BPP trustees earn kickbacks from advocates who file cases in the court, so they earn their share of profits which they have spent for canvassing at the time of elections. A clear case of earning unaccounted income.

  43. Ervard Athornan

    Last para of the above article reads”The appellants and the interveners have done great service to the Parsi community, and need to be commended. So too do their lawyers, led by the redoubtable Iqbal Chagla. They have braved calumny heaped upon them by the respondents, and those that espouse their cause. I am glad that these personal attacks did not deter the appellants, the interveners, or their lawyers from pursuing their cause. The judgement vindicates them in full measure.
    (Navroz Seervai is an eminent lawyer and senior counsel in Mumbai)”
    =================================================================
    Now having regard to what WAPIZ Admirer has stated and this version seems credible, the point here is that if the second renegade mobed had also followed  what the first one did and agreed to NOT PERFORM RITUALS AT PLACES OWNED BY BPP, WOULD THAT HAVE NOT SAVED THE DRAIN OF COMMUNITY FUNDS ON A FUTILE LITIGATION IMPOSED BY TWO INDIVIDUALS WITH THEIR PROGENY MARRIED TO NON PARSEES?
     NOW THE PRETENCE THAT HE (SECOND HERO/ZERO) GIVING A SIMILAR LETTER AS MIRZA THAT HE WANTS TO SPARE FURTHER DRAIN OF COMMUNITY FUNDS IN COURT CASE IS NOTHING SHORT OF SELF ADMISSION THAT HE CAUSED STRAIN ON PUBLIC CHARITY FUNDS SO FAR. SUCH “FACE SAVING FORMULA WILL NOT CONVINCE EVEN A PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILD.THIS IS SURE SIGN OF A BORN LOSER GAINING WISDOM AFTER THE EVENT!

  44. Ervard Athornan

    Last para of the above article reads”The appellants and the interveners have done great service to the Parsi community, and need to be commended. So too do their lawyers, led by the redoubtable Iqbal Chagla. They have braved calumny heaped upon them by the respondents, and those that espouse their cause. I am glad that these personal attacks did not deter the appellants, the interveners, or their lawyers from pursuing their cause. The judgement vindicates them in full measure.
    (Navroz Seervai is an eminent lawyer and senior counsel in Mumbai)”
    =================================================================
    Now having regard to what WAPIZ Admirer has stated and this version seems credible, the point here is that if the second renegade mobed had also followed  what the first one did and agreed to NOT PERFORM RITUALS AT PLACES OWNED BY BPP, WOULD THAT HAVE NOT SAVED THE DRAIN OF COMMUNITY FUNDS ON A FUTILE LITIGATION IMPOSED BY TWO INDIVIDUALS WITH THEIR PROGENY MARRIED TO NON PARSEES?
     NOW THE PRETENCE THAT HE (SECOND HERO/ZERO) GIVING A SIMILAR LETTER AS MIRZA THAT HE WANTS TO SPARE FURTHER DRAIN OF COMMUNITY FUNDS IN COURT CASE IS NOTHING SHORT OF SELF ADMISSION THAT HE CAUSED STRAIN ON PUBLIC CHARITY FUNDS SO FAR. SUCH “FACE SAVING FORMULA WILL NOT CONVINCE EVEN A PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILD.THIS IS SURE SIGN OF A BORN LOSER GAINING WISDOM AFTER THE EVENT!

  45. Ervard Athornan

    Last para of the above article reads”The appellants and the interveners have done great service to the Parsi community, and need to be commended. So too do their lawyers, led by the redoubtable Iqbal Chagla. They have braved calumny heaped upon them by the respondents, and those that espouse their cause. I am glad that these personal attacks did not deter the appellants, the interveners, or their lawyers from pursuing their cause. The judgement vindicates them in full measure.
    (Navroz Seervai is an eminent lawyer and senior counsel in Mumbai)”
    =================================================================
    Now having regard to what WAPIZ Admirer has stated and this version seems credible, the point here is that if the second renegade mobed had also followed  what the first one did and agreed to NOT PERFORM RITUALS AT PLACES OWNED BY BPP, WOULD THAT HAVE NOT SAVED THE DRAIN OF COMMUNITY FUNDS ON A FUTILE LITIGATION IMPOSED BY TWO INDIVIDUALS WITH THEIR PROGENY MARRIED TO NON PARSEES?
     NOW THE PRETENCE THAT HE (SECOND HERO/ZERO) GIVING A SIMILAR LETTER AS MIRZA THAT HE WANTS TO SPARE FURTHER DRAIN OF COMMUNITY FUNDS IN COURT CASE IS NOTHING SHORT OF SELF ADMISSION THAT HE CAUSED STRAIN ON PUBLIC CHARITY FUNDS SO FAR. SUCH “FACE SAVING FORMULA WILL NOT CONVINCE EVEN A PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILD.THIS IS SURE SIGN OF A BORN LOSER GAINING WISDOM AFTER THE EVENT!

  46. Hansotia

    Athornan Mandal has reportedly convened a Meeting of all priests on Tuesday the 6th March ostensibly to intimidate them after Dadysett Agiari episode. Ultimatum- if they perform ceremonies for those who opt for other means of disposal, such priests will be defrocked by this Mandal and such priests  will dis-entitle themselves from proposed doles and of course ashodad a la Rasna.

  47. Hansotia

    Athornan Mandal has reportedly convened a Meeting of all priests on Tuesday the 6th March ostensibly to intimidate them after Dadysett Agiari episode. Ultimatum- if they perform ceremonies for those who opt for other means of disposal, such priests will be defrocked by this Mandal and such priests  will dis-entitle themselves from proposed doles and of course ashodad a la Rasna.

  48. Hansotia

    Athornan Mandal has reportedly convened a Meeting of all priests on Tuesday the 6th March ostensibly to intimidate them after Dadysett Agiari episode. Ultimatum- if they perform ceremonies for those who opt for other means of disposal, such priests will be defrocked by this Mandal and such priests  will dis-entitle themselves from proposed doles and of course ashodad a la Rasna.

  49. Dorab Unwalla

    Black mailing Priests with threats to make them face court cases and eviction suits – is that following Zoroastrian practices? How long will you exploit priestly class and make them submit to your whims and caprices. Let them work according to their conscience and their financial needs and not as per dictates of false Scholars who practice double standards. I too know that some Priests are being given ultimatums and that is very bad.

  50. Dorab Unwalla

    Black mailing Priests with threats to make them face court cases and eviction suits – is that following Zoroastrian practices? How long will you exploit priestly class and make them submit to your whims and caprices. Let them work according to their conscience and their financial needs and not as per dictates of false Scholars who practice double standards. I too know that some Priests are being given ultimatums and that is very bad.

  51. Contradhongi

    If true, it is downright arm twisting and not permitting clergy to act as per their conscience. God will never forgive such autocratic bullies.

  52. Contradhongi

    If true, it is downright arm twisting and not permitting clergy to act as per their conscience. God will never forgive such autocratic bullies.

  53. Contradhongi

    If true, it is downright arm twisting and not permitting clergy to act as per their conscience. God will never forgive such autocratic bullies.

  54. Dorab Unwalla

    Black mailing Priests with threats to make them face court cases and eviction suits – is that following Zoroastrian practices? How long will you exploit priestly class and make them submit to your whims and caprices. Let them work according to their conscience and their financial needs and not as per dictates of false Scholars who practice double standards. I too know that some Priests are being given ultimatums and that is very bad.