Adoption is not yet legal for Parsis in India

By Noshir H. Dadrawala

Very recently I received a query from a Parsi Zoroastrian couple desiring to adopt a child from an adoption agency. As would be the case with any such agency, the parentage of the child would not be disclosed to the adopting couple. The possibility of the child to be adopted being of Parsi Zoroastrian lineage would, of course, be very remote. This Parsi Zoroastrian couple was very anxious whether adopting such a child would be legal. They went on to ask me whether the child would be considered a Parsi Zoroastrian after the Navjote ceremony would be performed at the appropriate time.

This article is written with complete objectivity and keeping in mind others who may be contemplating such adoption. Also, this has not been written from an orthodox or reformist standpoint. It is an impartial gaze at adoption in India from a legal perspective. I apologize in advance to those Parsi Zoroastrians who have already adopted such children. My intention is not to cause hurt, but, to create awareness and help people exercise informed choice.

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