Introduction:

The Gujarat High Court has extended the stay on the release of the film ‘Maharaj’, produced by Yash Raj Films and scheduled for Netflix, pending its own review. This decision came in response to a plea filed by devotees of Lord Krishna and followers of the Pustimarg sect, who raised concerns about potential disruptions to public order and religious sentiments.

Arguments of Both Sides:

Petitioners’ Arguments:

Represented by their counsel, the petitioners argued that ‘Maharaj’ contains scandalous and defamatory content that could provoke violence against their sect and Hindu beliefs. They cited historical references and alleged that the film’s storyline, based on the 1862 Libel Case, maligns Lord Krishna and Pustimargi traditions. The petitioners sought urgent intervention to prevent irreparable harm to religious sentiments, highlighting the global reach of OTT platforms as exacerbating the impact of the film’s release.

Respondents’ Arguments:

Yash Raj Films and Netflix, represented by their legal team, objected to the maintainability of the petition and argued for the court to first watch the film before making any decisions. They emphasized the need for a fair assessment of the movie’s content to determine whether it genuinely infringed upon religious sentiments as claimed by the petitioners. They also contested the secrecy allegation around the film’s release, asserting procedural compliance with industry standards.

Court’s Judgment:

Justice Sangeeta K. Visen presiding, the court decided to personally view the film ‘Maharaj’ as proposed by the respondents. The interim stay on the film’s release was extended to facilitate this review, ensuring all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined before reaching a final decision. The court acknowledged the sensitive nature of the issues raised and the importance of upholding public order while respecting religious freedoms.

Pending further hearings scheduled for June 20, the Gujarat High Court opted to take a proactive approach by directly assessing the film in question. This step aims to ensure that any potential impact on religious sentiments or public peace is carefully evaluated, balancing freedom of expression with community concerns.