The Netflix film Maharaj is based on the real-life Mahraj Libel Case that took place in 1862 in the Bombay High Court. The case centered around Karsandas Mulji, a Gujarati journalist and social reformer, who exposed the alleged sexual misconduct and corruption of a revered religious leader, Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj, who belonged to the influential Pushtimarga Hindu sect.
Mulji, who was also a follower of the Pushtimarga sect, published an expose in his Gujarati weekly newspaper Satyaprakash criticizing the immoral practices of the sect’s leaders. In response, Maharaj Jadunathji sued Mulji and his newspaper for defamation, initiating a high-profile trial.
The case featured dramatic testimonies from witnesses, including women who claimed to have been exploited by Maharaj, as well as the religious leader’s physician who testified that he had treated Maharaj for syphilis. After a lengthy trial, the court ultimately ruled in favor of Karsandas Mulji, dismissing Maharaj’s defamation charges.
Maharaj: A Powerful Netflix Film Inspired by True Events
After a lengthy trial, the court ultimately ruled in favor of Karsandas Mulji in 1862, dismissing Maharaj’s defamation charges. The presiding judge, Joseph Arnould, stated in his judgment: “It is not a question of theology that has been before us. It is a question of morality. The principle for which the defendant and his witnesses have been contending is simply this: that what is morally wrong cannot be theologically right.”
The Maharaj Libel Case was a landmark trial that highlighted the fight for justice and the power of journalism to expose corruption, even in the face of immense pressure and threats. The case has now inspired the Netflix film Maharaj, which aims to bring this important historical story to a wider audience.