Maharaj: Urgent Hearing Denied for YRF and Netflix’s Appeal to Lift Stay Order.

Ahmedabad: The film Maharaj, which stars Aamir Khan’s oldest son Junaid Khan in his big debut, has been delayed by the Gujarat High Court. Netflix and the production firm YRF hurried to the court on Friday to request the lifting of the suspension on the movie’s streaming which was scheduled to open on Friday.

Senior attorneys pleaded the court, but Justice Sangeeta Vishen rejected their demands for a quick urgent hearing. The hearing will be held on Tuesday. The OTT platform and the filmmakers have been instructed to submit their replies by that date.

A Hindu Group petitioned the court, claiming the film would inspire violence, and the court granted their request. The Pustimarg sect, Lord Krishna devotees, and Vallabhacharya followers submitted the petition. The petitioners claimed that the YRF Entertainment movie may upset the peace in the community and incite violence against Hindus and members of the sect.

Image Source: thestatesman

The petitioners claimed that the film, which was influenced by the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case, severely denigrates Hinduism and contains blatantly offensive remarks about God, religious music, and hymns.

The petitioner’s attorney also contended that after repeated inquiries, the applicants and other organizations received no reaction from the government, studios, or over-the-top platform. The directors allegedly responded to them in an unsettling manner.

On the internet on Thursday, hashtags including “Boycott Netflix” and “Ban Maharaj Film” were trending, with some users urging the movie’s prohibition.

“Maharaj” is a pre-independence Indian drama that is based on the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, one of the major legal cases of the time.

In the movie, Jaideep will play Vallabhacharya sect leader Jadunath Brijratan Maharaj, while Junaid will play former journalist and social activist Karsandas Mulji.

With the exception of a poster starring Junaid and Jaideep Ahlawat, the producers have not produced a teaser or trailer. There’s a ’tilak’ on Jaideep Ahlawat’s forehead, and Junaid’s character, who is apparently a journalist, is wearing a waistcoat in the poster.

In line with a press release published by Netflix this past month, “Maharaj” tells the story of journalist and social activist Karsandas Mulji, who was a trailblazing supporter of women’s rights and social change. As a student at Mumbai’s Elphinstone College and a follower of the scholar-leader Dadabhai Naoroji, Mulji spoke for the marginalized, wrote about widow remarriage, and planted the seeds of social change.

“All of this culminated in the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case, which was brought about by a prominent person’s claims of misconduct, the case received widespread attention and investigation, establishing the scene for what many consider to be one of the biggest legal battles of all time,” the streamer continued.

What is Maharaj Libel case 1862?

Only few cases in the history of the nation’s judicial system have had an influence as the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862.

In British India, the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862 brought to light problems with social reform, religious authority, and press freedom. This case is the core of the film ‘Maharaj’.

This is the tale of an Indian journalist’s unshakable dedication to reporting the truth and the lasting impact of a case that reshaped the country’s definitions of journalistic and religious authority.

Image Source: MSN

Karsandas Mulji initiated the case, voicing his disapproval of the Vallabhacharya group of Hinduism. He had written an article in a Gujarati newspaper ‘Satya Prakash’ claiming that the Maharaj, the leader of the sect, had been involved in immoral acts, such as indulging in sexual misconduct with his female followers under the pretense of religious rituals. He also referred to the Pushtimarg group as a heretical sect that supported abusing women sexually.

The Maharaj’s followers at the time considered him to be a celestial being, and they took any charges made against him extremely seriously. In retaliation, Jadunathji Maharaj sued Mulji and the proprietor of the newspaper, Nanabhai Rusomji Ranina, for libel.

The trial in the Bombay Supreme Court garnered significant attention. Extensive testimony was given in the case between January 25, 1862, and March 4, 1862 by a variety of witnesses, including doctors and missionaries who supported Mulji’s claims.

Throughout the trial, missionary orientalist experts like as John Wilson scrutinized and contrasted the teachings of the Pushtimarg sect with those of other Hindu literature. The religious leader was treated for syphilis by many doctors, and various witnesses related stories of his illicit relationships. The religious sect’s observation that their route to salvation was predicated on sex orgies was also investigated.

The legal case ended on April 22, 1862, with a verdict favoring Karsandas Mulji, who had invested Rs 14,000 in legal fees. The court granted him Rs 11,500 as compensation.

The ruling upheld journalist’s freedom to openly and fearlessly discuss social and religious concerns. Additionally, it gave Indian social reformers a boost and made the Vallabhacharya Sect come under closer examination.