“True or False?”

I wish to invite your attention to the first question appearing in "True or False?” (Parsiana, December 2001). This pertains to permitting the child­ren of Parsi mothers married to non-Parsi fathers entry to the Kaikhushru Pallonji Katrak Dar-e-Meher in Delhi. Please note that the answer given to this question is not totally true. In fact, the Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA) members have allowed admission to the children of Parsi mothers married to non-Parsi fathers only on the speci­fic condition that the navjotes of such children have been duly performed. To make this issue clear, I may explain the related facts as follows:

Considering the growing trend of mixed marriages in the community all over the world and in order to keep the members of mixed marriages within the communi­ty fold, the DPA decided to allow them to participate in social and cultural functions of the Anjuman. In 1978, with a view to boost the interest of non-Parsi spouses of Parsi members in the affairs and activities of the Anjuman, they were even enrolled as members of the Anjuman with all benefits of membership including voting rights, on the specific condition that such non-Parsi spouse members shall not be entitled to the use of the Anjuman’s fire-temple, or to burial in the Anjuman’s aramgah, or to be elected as a trustee of the Anjuman. The rules of the Anjuman were amended accordingly. Their children are entitled to the Anjuman’s scholarships. Further the children of non-Parsi mothers and Parsi fathers were allowed to enter the Dar-e-Meher, provided that the navjotes of such children have been duly performed.

In the light of the above explanation, the answer to the question should have accommodated the navjote clause for accurate information and proper understanding of the readers.

ZAL NOWSHERWANJI

Former vice president, Delhi Parsi Anjuman