“Rites and rituals researched”

It has been brought to the notice of the board of trustees of The K. R. Cama Oriental Institute that Faribourz Nariman has written a book review titled "Rites and rituals researched” (Books, Parsiana, September 7, 2009) in which he has made an uncalled for, totally false and derogatory reference to our Institute. He has alleged that it has "espoused indifference and stayed behind as a mere spectator” while referring to The Herbadastan and Nirangastan, Vol. IV, Nirangastan, Fargad 3, edited and translated by Dastur (Dr) Firoze M. Kotwal and Philip G. Kreyenbrock.

The board of trustees of the Institute has taken a serious view of this false and defamatory statement. In fact, our Institute has never been approached either by the writer of the review or by the editor, translator or publisher of the book, or for that matter by any one for any assistance or support and therefore the question of the Institute "espousing indifference” or "staying behind as a mere spectator” does not and cannot arise.

The fact that, under the pretext of comparing others with the Ness Wadia Foundation and F. E. Dinshaw Charities, Nariman has singled out only our Institute for alleged indifference itself establishes that he has, without justification whatsoever, made and published absolutely false, reckless and malicious allegations only to harm and injure our reputation, to lower it in the estimation of the general public and hold it in contempt and ridicule.

We are also surprised that you should have published such a statement without checking its veracity or ascertaining facts from our Institute. You will appreciate that such a false and frivolous statement is per se defamatory, and we reserve our right against the said writer, Nariman.

The members of the board are sure that your publication would not be a party to such a false statement, and to acquaint your readers with the truth we call on you to publish this letter to clarify the position of our Institute so that our reputation is not unnecessarily tarnished.

MUNCHERJI N. M. CAMA

President, The K. R. Cama Oriental Instutute

The editors reply

Parsiana regrets not seeking The K. R. Cama Oriental Institute’s response to Nariman’s allegations prior to publication.