“The Russian retort”

In the article "The Russian retort” (Parsiana, September 7, 2010), you have named me as a perpetrator of various actions such as forcibly climbing over the main gate and opening it from inside, rushing to an area benchmarked as "pavi,” hitting and beating the Russian Mikhail Chistyakov and assaulting Dr Meher Master-Moos, using abusive language, tearing the clothes of the Russian and exposing his private parts, throwing out bottles of nirang.

Before going into print, was it not important to verify the facts with me? Were you or your representative present to be able to print a first information report? If your answer is "No,” then you have printed the story on the basis of what you have been told by some people who have a vested interest in the matter.

My image has been projected in bad taste and I demand a written apology. Also, since this matter is before the High Court, is it correct to mislead the community and the readers of Parsiana with false and incorrect information?

Parsiana is a community magazine. Should it be making "Herbad” Chistyakov, who is a Russian, a community hero while making me, a true Zoroastrian, a villain? You have glorified Master-Moos and the Russian and made it seem as if our present day priests are incompetent and incapable of preserving our rituals while the new breed of Russians and non-Zoroastrians are. This is an insult to our community.

If we combine the power of the pen and our passion for our religion and its rituals, can we not make a better tomorrow for the community? If we contribute our time, money and energy in a positive direction our past glory as Zoroastrians would not be lost. What surprises me is that people who want to bring about a change in our rituals and who project themselves as "reformists” have no definite agenda for a positive change. Theirs appear more as action for opposition. There is no issue or concern that cannot be set right if people meet with positive intentions, keeping in mind the interest of the community.

FAREDOON KAPADIA

atassh@rediffmail.com

The editors reply

What was stated was from the statements filed in the Bombay High Court by Chistyakov and Master-Moos. As and when the respondents file a reply, Parsiana will carry extracts and a summary if the papers are provided to us.