Karsandas Mulji/ Maharaj Libel Case
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A backgrounder
Sushim Mukul, June 17, 2024: India Today
The Gujarat HC has stayed the release of Netflix film 'Maharaj' based on the life of Karsandas Mulji
Karsandas Mulji's newspaper, The Satya Prakash, exposed a religious leader's sexual misconduct
This led to the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, and a landmark ruling on equality before law
It was October 21, 1860, and a Bombay-based Gujarati newspaper carried a piece titled, 'Hinduo No Asli Dharam Ane Atyar Na Pakhandi Mato (The true religion of the Hindus and the present hypocritical opinions)'.
The piece in the newspaper The Satya Prakash by its editor, Karsandas Mulji, was an expose on the alleged sexual misconduct of Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj, a prominent religious leader of the Vaishnav sect, Pushtimarg.
Mulji's piece accused Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj of exploiting his female followers under the pretence of religious practices.
Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj was not just any other seer, he was one of the most prominent and powerful religious leaders and had a massive following.
GUJARAT HIGH COURT STAYS 'MAHARAJ' RELEASE
Following the allegations, Maharaj filed a defamation lawsuit against Mulji and the publisher. The Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, which caused quite a controversy and debate in Bombay, became a landmark case in the annals of the Indian judiciary.
The case was long forgotten, until recently the Gujarat High Court stayed the release of 'Maharaj', a Netflix film produced by Yash Raj Films (YRF) and starring Aamir Khan's son Junaid Khan. In the film, while Jaideep Ahlawat plays the religious leader, Junaid Khan plays Mulji.
The stay order was issued on a petition filed on behalf of devotees of Lord Krishna and followers of Vallabhacharya, of the Pushtimarg sect.
The petition alleged that the film, apparently based on the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, is likely to affect public order and incite violence against the followers of the sect and the Hindu religion.
MULJI, THE REFORMER, WAS MENTORED BY DADABHAI NAOROJI
Against the backdrop of the controversy over 'Maharaj', let us take a look at the life and legacy of Karsandas Mulji, the significance of the libel case in Indian legal history, and above all, what Narendra Modi, as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2010, had to say about Karsandas Mulji.
Karsandas Mulji, a prominent social reformer and journalist from colonial Bombay, was mentored by the renowned scholar-leader Dadabhai Naoroji. Before starting The Satya Prakash, Mulji contributed to the Anglo-Gujarati paper of Dadabhai Naoroji, Rast Goftar.
Mulji was known for his advocacy of women's rights and social reforms, particularly in the areas of widow remarriage and the rights of the oppressed.
With the help of wealthy reform-minded friends and a zeal to cleanse society, he started The Satya Prakash in 1855. Mulji's work was instrumental in sowing the seeds of social change in Western India during that period.
WHAT IS THE LANDMARK MAHARAJ LIBEL CASE ALL ABOUT?
The Maharaj Libel Case, which is central to the film 'Maharaj', was a landmark legal battle and created a commotion in Bombay. Mulji's 1860 article in The Satya Prakash, which exposed the alleged sexual misconduct of Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj, attracted a defamation lawsuit against Mulji and the publisher, Nanabhai Rustomji Ranina.
The article also stated that a book by Gokulnath, the grandson of Vallabhacharya who founded the Pushtimarg sect of Vaishnavism, endorsed immorality.
The Maharaj claimed that Mulji’s allegations were false, slanderous and defamatory, but Mulji stuck to his ground in the Rs 50,000 (approximately Rs 82 lakh now) defamation case.
He claimed that the article was based on true incidents and aimed at exposing the moral corruption of Maharaja, one of the five male-heads of the 16th century sect.
HOW MULJI TOOK ON MAHARAJ'S MIGHT
Interestingly, Karsandas Mulji also came from a Pushtimarg merchant family.
The sect, which had rich followers in Bombay, far from Gujarat, mobilised opposition against Mulji's attacks using a signature campaign, which Mulji called a "slavery bond". The Maharaj convened the entire community of his supporters in Bombay and warned that anyone who testified against him would be excommunicated.
The case, which attracted a full house in court, was ultimately dismissed by the British judges of the Court of Bombay. The judgment held that Mulji had provided sufficient evidence to support his claims.
"A public journalist is a public teacher: the true function of the press, that by virtue of which it has rightly grown to be one of the great powers of the modern world — is the function of teaching, elevating and enlightening those who fall within the range of its influence," said Judge Joseph Arnould in his own words.
The Maharaja was ordered to pay Rs 11,500 to Karsandas Mulji too, who had spent Rs 14,000 during the case.
The case was a landmark in the history of freedom of the press in India. It encouraged scrutiny and criticism of religious and social malpractices, which was voiced by Narendra Modi as well.
The case also established the principle of equality before law.
NARENDRA MODI HAILED KARSANDAS MULJI IN 2010
During his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi praised Karsandas Mulji in 2010 for his contributions to social reforms.
He recognised Mulji's efforts in promoting women's rights and social change, highlighting his importance in India's struggle for independence and social progress.
Speaking on the power of truth, Modi said, "Social reformist and journalist Karsandas Mulji's newspaper too was titled Satya-Prakash".
"Gujarat has accepted the path of truth as its weapon to fight all forms of injustice, neglect and against those who try to defame us," he added.
"Saanch ne ave na Aanch, Satya Chhapre Chadi ne Pokarshe, Satya No Jay," he said next, emphasising the power of truth, meaning, 'There is no ignominy in speaking the truth. Truth will out. Truth triumphs'.
"This is our only faith," added Modi in the Independence Day address titled, 'Saluting Freedom and Truth'.
The film 'Maharaj' is based on a real-life case and has been adapted from writer Saurabh Shah's book.
