History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

CHAP. V.] . AM IMPORTANT MINUTE. 237

ing to execute justice with one law for the rich and another for the poor cannot command any moral respect. The excessive partiality of the Panchayet at last drew forth from one of its oldest and most respectable members an exposure of the acts of his colleagues that could not but prove fatal to its authority. This memorable protest was made by the late Framji Kavasji, a name which is still and will always be revered by the whole Parsi community. From the date of that protest,’ followed as it was by similar objections on the part of two other members, Messrs. Naorozji Jamshedji Wadia and Kharshedji Manakji Shroff, the Panchayet was virtually extineuished.

1 The following is a short abstract of Framji’s minute, from a literal translation of it published in an English newspaper some years ago. ‘The minute was addressed to the members of the Panchayet, and fully exposes the extent to which corruptions had reached the Parsi community, and the utter apathy and carelessness with which the Panchayet overlooked the unhappy state of things. “I have resolved,” says Framji, “that I shall not hereafter join with you in transacting any of the Panchayet’s business, Individuals calling themselves Zoroastrians have now become so reckless that they look upon bigamy and other monstrous sins as anything but sinful. I can cite numberless instances of persons in this place who have not only deserted their lawful wives and joined in matrimony with others, in defiance of the rules of our community, as also of many who are recklessly living and spending their existence in the houses of unprincipled women. You who call yourselves members of the Panchayet will not only take no notice of these affairs, but allow such sinful persons to participate in all the rights of Zoroastrianism. You will not bring such offenders to punishment, but, on the contrary, sometimes think very lightly of their offences. It cannot be said that you are not cognisant of this growing evil, and if you do not discharge your trust faithfully what answer will you give to your Maker on the Day of Judgment ?”