Karsandas Mulji, played by Junaid Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, studied at Elphinstone College, Mumbai. He was a disciple of scholar-leader Dadabhai Naoroji and a member of the Gujarati Gyan Prasarak Mandali (Gujarati Society for the Dissemination of Knowledge). Mulji was also a friend of prominent Gujarati reformists like poet Narmad and educationist Mahipatram Neelkanth.
In 1855, Mulji founded the Gujarati language weekly "Satyaprakash" to leverage mass communication for social reform. Six years later, the newspaper merged with his mentor's Anglo-Gujarati newspaper "Rast Goftar", published in Bombay, which at that time included parts of Gujarat as part of the Bombay Presidency.Mulji wrote extensively on issues such as widow remarriage, women's education, excessive expenditure on lavish weddings, obscene songs sung during marriages and the ritual of chest-beating funeral rites. He stood up for the oppressed, called for social reform and helped eliminate many social evils. Like his guru, Mulji believed in working effectively by eliminating the evils of society.
One of Mulji's most notable writings was titled 'Gulamikhat', in which he criticized the signature campaign by Vaishnavas and the process of making laws that exempted Maharajas (religious heads) from attending court due to their religious status. Went.
However, the article that caused the most controversy was "Hindus no Asli Dharam ane Atyar na Pakhandi Mato" (Primitive religion and present heretical opinion of the Hindus) published in 'Satyaprakash' on September 21, 1890.This article criticized Vaishnav acharyas (Hindu religious leaders) for their behavior and gave rise to the Maharaja Libel Case of 1862, which is the basis of the Netflix film.
Religious leader Jadunathji Brijartanji Maharaj had filed a case against Mulji and 'Satyaprakash' publisher Nanabhai Rustomji Ranina.
The article alleged that Jadunathji Brijartanji Maharaj had sexual relations with female followers and that men were expected to show their devotion by offering their wives for sexual relations with religious leaders.
The case began on January 25, 1862, and ended on March 4, 1862. During the case, which saw significant media coverage for that time and increased general public interest, 31 witnesses were examined for the plaintiff (Maharaj).And 33 for the defendant (Mulji).
Doctors, including Bhau Daaji, testified to treating the religious leader for syphilis, and several witnesses told of his amorous exploits. German sociologist Max Weber said that the religious sect's path to salvation was allegedly based on sexual orgy.
The case earned Mulji the title of "Indian Luther" by the English press, and was ultimately ruled in his favour.
Under the decision, Jadunathji Brijartanji Maharaj was ordered to pay Rs 11,500 to Karsandas Mulji.
In 1855, Mulji founded the Gujarati language weekly "Satyaprakash" to leverage mass communication for social reform. Six years later, the newspaper merged with his mentor's Anglo-Gujarati newspaper "Rast Goftar", published in Bombay, which at that time included parts of Gujarat as part of the Bombay Presidency.Mulji wrote extensively on issues such as widow remarriage, women's education, excessive expenditure on lavish weddings, obscene songs sung during marriages and the ritual of chest-beating funeral rites. He stood up for the oppressed, called for social reform and helped eliminate many social evils. Like his guru, Mulji believed in working effectively by eliminating the evils of society.
One of Mulji's most notable writings was titled 'Gulamikhat', in which he criticized the signature campaign by Vaishnavas and the process of making laws that exempted Maharajas (religious heads) from attending court due to their religious status. Went.
However, the article that caused the most controversy was "Hindus no Asli Dharam ane Atyar na Pakhandi Mato" (Primitive religion and present heretical opinion of the Hindus) published in 'Satyaprakash' on September 21, 1890.This article criticized Vaishnav acharyas (Hindu religious leaders) for their behavior and gave rise to the Maharaja Libel Case of 1862, which is the basis of the Netflix film.
Religious leader Jadunathji Brijartanji Maharaj had filed a case against Mulji and 'Satyaprakash' publisher Nanabhai Rustomji Ranina.
The article alleged that Jadunathji Brijartanji Maharaj had sexual relations with female followers and that men were expected to show their devotion by offering their wives for sexual relations with religious leaders.
The case began on January 25, 1862, and ended on March 4, 1862. During the case, which saw significant media coverage for that time and increased general public interest, 31 witnesses were examined for the plaintiff (Maharaj).And 33 for the defendant (Mulji).
Doctors, including Bhau Daaji, testified to treating the religious leader for syphilis, and several witnesses told of his amorous exploits. German sociologist Max Weber said that the religious sect's path to salvation was allegedly based on sexual orgy.
The case earned Mulji the title of "Indian Luther" by the English press, and was ultimately ruled in his favour.
Under the decision, Jadunathji Brijartanji Maharaj was ordered to pay Rs 11,500 to Karsandas Mulji.
