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Sarosh Kapadia declines to mediate Parsi 'renegade' priest matter

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Former chief justice of India Sarosh Kapadia has declined to mediate in the "renegade" Parsi priest matter. Both Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and the side fighting the case on behalf of "renegade priests" had accepted Kapadia as a mediator after his name was suggested by the Supreme Court.

However, on Monday, Kapadia is said to have declined to mediate, but the reason for that is not known. While Kapadia was not available for comment, the BPP said that it was yet to hear from Kapadia and while those fighting the case for the renegade priests confirmed the development.

"We have not received any official word about it. This is something we are hearing from the media," said Dinshaw Mehta, chairman of BPP.

Homi Khushrokhan, one of those who has taken up cudgels for the "renegade" priests, said, "I have not spoken to him but there is a one-line confirmation that he has declined to mediate. After the court vacations are over, we will have to go back to the court and see what needs to be done."

Two priests, Khushro Madon and Framroze Mirza, were banned by the BPP in 2009 for "irreligious activities". They were banned from Doongerwadi and other fire temples managed by the BPP.

The "irreligious activities" included after-death prayers for Parsis who were cremated (and not given to the vultures as per tradition), religious ceremonies like Navjot on children whose father was not a Parsi and conducting mixed marriages.

Following the ban, two petitioners, former civic chief Jamshed Kanga and a prominent Parsi, Homi Khusrokhan, had approached the court. The high court had quashed the ban on the priests in 2011. This was challenged by the Punchayet in the Supreme Court.

A mediation went on for almost two years without an outcome. After that, BPP had passed a resolution that it will not be going for a solution but will fight out the case in court.

However, the SC again suggested the parties to settle it amicably and suggested Kapadia's name.

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