Artistic Expression Triumphs: Gujarat HC Vacates Injunction On "Maharaj"

The Gujarat High Court, on June 21, 2024, vacated its ad-interim injunction against the release of the film "Maharaj", originally imposed on June 12, 2024. The film is based on the real-life Maharaj libel case from 1862 and adapted from the 2013 book "Maharaja" by Saurabh Shah. The film features Junaid Khan, son of veteran actor Amir Khan.

The film's premise centres around a defamation case filed by Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj against a newspaper article accusing him of sexually exploiting female followers under the guise of religion. The case, which became a landmark judgment, involved British judges and several controversial remarks about Hindu religion, beliefs, and practices. The Petitioners, Bharat Pranjivandas Mandalya & Ors, who identify as the members of the Vaishnavite sect Pushtimargi, claimed that the film could harm communal harmony and sentiments due to its "scandalous and defamatory language" and "is likely to incite feelings of hatred and violence