Shame is the word that pops up in my mind when I read about the insensitive, unkind treatment meted out to Parsi women who have married outside the community, and to their children. These women have not given up their Zoroastrian religion nor converted to their husband’s faith.
I have always thought that Parsis are a reasonable, forward thinking lot — educated, philanthropic, intelligent and liberal. So why can’t they be more inclusive, keeping the core ethics of Zoroastrianism in mind? When it comes to Parsi women marrying outside the community, reason, common sense and compassion fly out the window.
I also feel very strongly that a handful of people control our places of worship and prevent other Zoroastrians who are not Parsis or Iranis from India being accepted and included in our faith, citing a Bombay High Court order of 1908. This is nothing short of ugly racism and power politics!
I sincerely hope more liberal, forward-thinking Parsis open up their hearts to all Zoroastrians — whether born or willing converts — and rejoice in our beautiful faith!
Asha Vahishta, The Zoroastrian Centre in Poona grants entry to spouses/offspring of interfaith marriages and others. It is a matter of great joy and pride to see common sense and decency prevail at last! I sincerely hope this trend of inclusion continues and grows, and the cobwebs of ignorance and bigotry are swept away. SOONOO ANDREWS
sheekshee@hotmail.com
The children of Parsi Zoroastrian men married outside the community can become Parsis, but the same is not true of the children of Parsi women married to non-Parsis. Why? The truth is that even Parsi Zoroastrian men cannot marry non-Parsi women. If they insist on doing so, they are committing a great sin as described in the Patet Pashemani prayers and also in the Vendidad and some other tracts in our ancient scriptures.
DARYUS ARDESHIR
daryusrandelia@gmail.com
The editors reply:
Conversion to Zoroastrianism was permitted and enjoined in ancient Iran. So a non-Zoroastrian could convert and marry. In India, following a Bombay High Court judgment of 1908, anyone can convert to Zoroastrianism but they are not legally considered Parsis. This double qualification of Parsis and Zoroastrians did not exist in Iran at the time.