Priests ban case

The order dated March 11, 2011 of the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court (BHC) granting reprieve to the two "renegade” priests Ervads Framroze Mirza and Khushroo Madon is worth consideration.

From this order it is noted that such action is not within the purview of the power of the trustees, under the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) General Trust Deed of 1884. The resolution of the trustees prohibiting the renegade priests from offering prayers is limited only to the Doongerwadi, Godavra Agiary at Fort and Jokhi Agiary at Godrej Baug which are administered by the BPP. As such, the resolution passed by the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anju-mans of India, supporting the action taken by the BPP condemning the two duly ordained priests may not have legal force in this case as the problem is with Bombay only and does not affect other anjumans in India.

Further, a fact which cannot be ignored is that a large number of reformists, non reformists and right thinking Parsis of Bombay are happily favoring the judgment of the BHC.

The BPP trustees have moved the Supreme Court of India, instead of gracefully accepting the BHC order. Had they not challenged the order, it would have helped to maintain harmony and unity within our community.

ZAL NOWSHERWANJI