Gujarat High Court delays release of "Maharaj," starring Aamir Khan's son Junaid.
Based on the well-known Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, a petition is filed by the Pushtimarg sect alleging it will offend religious sensitivities.
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has halted the publication of Maharaj, the feature debut of Bollywood actor Aamir Khan's son Junaid, on Netflix, on the grounds that it will offend members of the Vaishnava Vaishtimarg sect of Hinduism.
A ruling against the movie that was supposed to be released on Netflix on Friday was made on Thursday by a one-judge bench of Justice Sangeeta Vishen. In addition, it sent letters to Netflix, the Center, and the movie's producer, Yash Raj Films. The case was scheduled for another hearing on June 18.
When eight members of the Pushtimarg sect saw articles about the movie, which was allegedly based on the well-known Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, they filed a petition against its publication. The petitioners have stated that if the film is allowed to be released, their religious feelings will be "seriously hurt" and that it will probably disrupt public order and encourage violence against members of the sect.
Senior counsel Mihir Joshi, who spoke on behalf of the petitioners, claimed that the movie was based on the British justices' consideration and decision of the "Libel Case of 1862." He went on to say that statements made about the sect's adherents in the scandalous and defamatory language contained in the court's ruling were mentioned.
As the petitioners noted,
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