The refusal to perform funerary ceremonies
for an interfaith married Parsi male has triggered
an outpouring of anguish and justification
Farrokh Jijina
Ervad Yazdi Aibara, panthaky of Cusrow Baug’s Nusserwanji Hirji Karani Agiary has stated he refused to perform after-death prayers for Bahadur Hansotia, an intermarried Baug resident as his late father Nadirshah had taught him to say "no” to performing any ceremony for intermarried men as well as women. Speaking to Parsiana on October 5, 2020 he, however, acknowledged that he had great respect ("ghanoo maan”) for the deceased. Hansotia had succumbed to coronavirus on September 27 and his family was keen to have prayers performed in the Karani fire temple.
"I do not force anyone to do anything. Why should......