NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Monday sought the Nagpur Parsi panchayat’s response on a Parsi woman’s petition challenging the constitutional validity of the religious custom which excommunicated her for marrying a non-Parsi man. She termed the custom gender discriminatory as the rule does not apply to a Parsi man who marries a non-Parsi woman.Appearing for Dina Budhraja, senior advocate Shyam Divan told the SC that Rule 5(2) of the Nagpur Parsi Panchayat constitution violated Articles 21, 21 and 25 of the Constitution as it discriminated against women by subjecting them to exclusion, denial of religious access, and loss of identity for marrying a non-Parsi, while Parsi men suffered no such disability.A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi issued notices to the Nagpur Parsi Panchayat, Union govt and ministry of minority affairs and said it would examine what interim relief could be granted to the petitioner.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran vows tit-for-tat strike after Trump’s 48hr ultimatum, threatens to hit US-Israel energy facilityIf America strikes us, we should attack Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai: Ex-Pak envoyTrump Pauses Planned Strikes: US halts Iran attack plan for 5 days; talks called very good and productiveThe 43-year-old petitioner said the discriminatory practice under Rules 5(2) and 5(3) was explicit. “A Parsi man who marries a non-Parsi woman retains his identity and access to religious institutions, whereas a Parsi woman is stripped of both. The classification is founded solely on gender and fails the test of reasonable classification under Article 14,” she said in her petition.Budhraja, who married a Hindu man in 2009 and has a son and daughter, said she has not renounced her religion. “Despite continuing to profess and practice Zoroastrian faith, petitioner has been treated as having ceased to be a Parsi solely by virtue of her marriage with a Hindu man, by virtue of Rule 5(2),” her petition said. “Several other Parsi panchayats, including those in Delhi and Kolkata, do not subscribe to such discriminatory practices and treat men and women equally. The practice followed by the Nagpur Parsi Panchayat is, therefore, neither uniform nor essential to the Zoroastrian faith,” Budhraja stated in her petition.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Moving Ahead With Resolve’: PM Modi’s Big Message On West Asia Conflict’Never Faced Such Humiliation’: Jaya Bachchan Slams VIP Culture In RS, Flags Traffic DisruptionsUS Finally Ready For De-Escalation? Iran Says Trump’s Threat To Blow Up Its Power Grid Was ‘Bluff’’100% Under Control Of Trump’: Rahul Gandhi Slams PM Modi Over West Asia Remarks In Lok Sabha’India Should Put House In Order First: Gita Gopinath’s Big Warning To Modi Govt Amid Iran WarIndia’s Nuclear Submarine Trio Is What China and Pakistan Should Pay Attention ToQawwali Meets Politics: LJP MP Shambhavi Chaudhary’s Dhurandhar Dig Targets Opposition In Lok Sabha‘Your Kindness Won’t Be Forgotten’: Iran Thanks Kashmir Donors For War Relief’India Shining Speech’: Oppn Hits Out At PM Modi’s Remarks On West Asia, Demands Discussion In Parl’India Deserves Deepest Respect: Russia Praises Delhi’s Strategic Autonomy, Confirms PM Modi’s Visit123PhotostoriesDon’t use ear buds or loud headphones: ENT surgeon warns of rising hearing loss in young adultsHow to make Kala Chana Kofta Curry for dinner at home5 Vastu-approved paintings of fish you should have in your home to attract wealth, love and prosperityOrdering food gets costlier: Under 20 minutes easy dinner ideas for busy weeknights9 animals living in the wettest place on Earth: From a venomous snake and a creature that smells like popcornAneet Padda to Ananya Panday: Celebrity showstoppers who owned the ramp at Lakmē Fashion Week 20265 most magnificent palaces of South India worth travelling forWhy you stretch unconsciously: The hidden stress signal your body uses, and how to fix itHow to make Amla Turmeric Juice at home and 3 reasons to drink it before your breakfast dailyInside Axar Patel’s Luxury Car Collection: Top 3 cars owned by the cricketer123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingBSEB Class 12th ResultUS Stock Market TodayGold prices crashShedeur SandersPuducherry electionsNDA seat sharingSilver Rate TodayPahalgam hotel caseTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Monday sought the Nagpur Parsi panchayat’s response on a Parsi woman’s petition challenging the constitutional validity of the religious custom which excommunicated her for marrying a non-Parsi man. She termed the custom gender discriminatory as the rule does not apply to a Parsi man who marries a non-Parsi woman.Appearing for Dina Budhraja, senior advocate Shyam Divan told the SC that Rule 5(2) of the Nagpur Parsi Panchayat constitution violated Articles 21, 21 and 25 of the Constitution as it discriminated against women by subjecting them to exclusion, denial of religious access, and loss of identity for marrying a non-Parsi, while Parsi men suffered no such disability.A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi issued notices to the Nagpur Parsi Panchayat, Union govt and ministry of minority affairs and said it would examine what interim relief could be granted to the petitioner.The 43-year-old petitioner said the discriminatory practice under Rules 5(2) and 5(3) was explicit. “A Parsi man who marries a non-Parsi woman retains his identity and access to religious institutions, whereas a Parsi woman is stripped of both. The classification is founded solely on gender and fails the test of reasonable classification under Article 14,” she said in her petition.Budhraja, who married a Hindu man in 2009 and has a son and daughter, said she has not renounced her religion. “Despite continuing to profess and practice Zoroastrian faith, petitioner has been treated as having ceased to be a Parsi solely by virtue of her marriage with a Hindu man, by virtue of Rule 5(2),” her petition said. “Several other Parsi panchayats, including those in Delhi and Kolkata, do not subscribe to such discriminatory practices and treat men and women equally. The practice followed by the Nagpur Parsi Panchayat is, therefore, neither uniform nor essential to the Zoroastrian faith,” Budhraja stated in her petition.
