We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the upcoming release of the film "Maharaj," based on the book by Saurabh Shah. This film is set to defame Hindu deities, particularly Lord Krishna, and offend the religious sentiments of millions of Hindus worldwide. The book and the film draw on pre-constitutional judgments from the British era, particularly the Maharaj libel case of 1862, to portray Hindu practices and deities in an unflattering and incorrect light. Below are the excerpts from the Maharaj Libel case about Lord Krishna that are scandalous and defamatory -

Maharaj Libel Judgement accepting that all songs connected with Lord Krishna were amourous and that all the Gurus are morally corrupt 

“…All songs connected with the God Krishna, which were brought before us were of an amorous, character and it appeared that songs of a corrupting and licentious tendency, both in idea and expression…” - (Maharaj libel case judgement, pg. 411)

“…In these songs, as well as in stories, both written and traditional, which latter are treated as of a religions character in the sect, the subject of sexual intercourse is most prominent. Adultery is made familiar to the minds of all; it is nowhere discouraged or denounced, but on the contrary, in some of the stories those persons who. have committed that great moral and social offence are commended, and in one of them, the actors are awarded the highest position in the heaven of the Vaishnavas, although nominally  for some attention paid on-one occasion to the clearing of a temple of the God, The love and subserviancy inculcated by the Hindū  religion to be due in a spiritual sense to the Supreme Being has been by those corrupt teachings materialised and to a large extent, transferred to those who claim to be his living incarnations….The Maharajas, however, appear upon the evidence to have indoubtedly availed themselves of the existence of those impressions to gratify licentious propensities and a love of gain. These doctrines and practices are opposed to what we know of the original principles of the ancient Hindū religion which are said to be found in the Veds.” (Maharaj libel case judgement, pg. 411)

"Judgement accepting Dr. Wilson’s views on Lord Krishna which is a complete mis-representation of Hindū Sanātana scriptures and defamatory against the supreme God head of Hindū Sanātana (i.e Lord Krishna)"

“…This succinct statement seems to contain; the essence of the whole matter. It is Krishna, the darling of the 16,000 Gopees (or shepherdesses); Krishna the love-hero the husband of the 16,000 princesses, who is the paramount object of Vallabhacharya’s worship. This tinges whole system with the stain of carnal Sensualism of strange transcendental lewdness. See for instance, how the sublime Brahminical doctrine of unition with “Brahma” is tainted and degraded by this sensuous mode of regarding the Diety. According to the old Brahminical tenet, “BRAMHA”, the All-containing and Indestructible, the Soul of which the Universe is the Body, abides from eternity to eternity as the fontal source of all Spiritual existence; reunion with Bramha, absorption into Bramha, is the beatitude for which, every separated spirit yearns, and which after, animating its appointed cycle of individuated living organisms, it is ultimately destined, to attain…

For many ages the incarnations of the Veds prayed Shri'Krishna, the most Excellent Being, for a sight of his form; the wish being granted, desire was produced in them and they prayed to Krishna to satisfy their hearts' desire, so that they might enjoy with him in the form of women; this desire also was granted, and the traditions, under the form of women enjoyed Krishna as Gopees with adulterine love in the mythical forest of “Vrij” (Maharaj libel case judgement, pg. 439)

“…Ras Lila or ''amorous dalliance'- is held forth as the highest bliss here. Ras-lila is the principal employment of Paradise hereafter…” (Maharaj libel case judgement, pg. 441)

Key Points of Concern:

Historical Misrepresentation:

The British-era judgments from the 1862 Maharaj libel case are being used to malign the character of Lord Krishna and the Hindu community. These judgments, made during colonial rule, reflect a biased and incomplete understanding of Hindu traditions and should not be used to judge or represent contemporary Hindu beliefs and practices.

Offensive Portrayal: The film "Maharaj" is said to depict Hindu gurus and deities engaging in immoral and lascivious behavior, which is a gross misrepresentation of Hindu teachings. Such portrayals are deeply offensive to the followers of Hinduism, particularly the Vaishnav sect of the Pushtimarg community.

Cultural Insensitivity: By releasing this film globally on a platform like Netflix, it has the potential to spread these inaccuracies and offensive depictions far and wide, tarnishing the image of Hindus and Hinduism in the eyes of the international community.

Potential for Social Unrest: The release of this film is likely to cause widespread outrage and social unrest among Hindu communities, both in India and abroad. The misrepresentation of religious figures and practices can lead to a breakdown in law and order. If Lord Krishna and Hindu followers are shown in bad light then the global followers of Hindu Sanatana may likely have to face racial, physical discrimination and verbal abuse and the producers of "Maharaj" book and movie will be solely responsible for that.

Our Demands

1. Immediate Halt on the Release: We demand that the release of the film "Maharaj" be halted immediately.
2. Content Review: We request a thorough review of the film's content by a panel of Hindu scholars and community leaders to ensure that it does not offend religious sentiments or misrepresent Hindu traditions.
   Removal of Offensive Content: Any portions of the film that are found to be offensive or inaccurate should be removed before any public release.
3. Removal from Netflix: We specifically demand that Netflix India remove the film "Maharaj" from its platform to prevent the spread of defamatory content against Hindu deities and followers.
4. Legal Action: We urge the authorities to file an FIR under IPC sections 153A, 295A, 505(2), and 34 against the makers of the film and take necessary legal actions to prevent the defamation of Hindu deities and followers.
   We believe that respecting all religions and their sentiments is crucial for maintaining harmony and peace in a diverse society like ours. We urge you to consider our demands seriously and take immediate action to address this grave issue.

We appeal to all individuals and organizations who respect religious diversity and cultural sensitivity to support this petition and help protect the sanctity of Hindu traditions and deities.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

 

Here is the translated text in Hindi:

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हम, नीचे हस्ताक्षरकर्ता, फिल्म "महाराज" की आगामी रिलीज के बारे में गहराई से चिंतित हैं, जो सौरभ शाह की किताब पर आधारित है। यह फिल्म हिंदू देवताओं, विशेष रूप से भगवान कृष्ण को बदनाम करने और दुनिया भर में करोड़ों हिंदुओं की धार्मिक भावनाओं को आहत करने के लिए तैयार है। पुस्तक और फिल्म ब्रिटिश युग के पूर्व-संविधानात्मक निर्णयों, विशेष रूप से 1862 के महाराज मानहानि मामले पर आधारित हैं, जो हिंदू प्रथाओं और देवताओं को अनुचित और गलत रूप में चित्रित करती हैं। नीचे महाराज मानहानि मामले से भगवान कृष्ण के बारे में अपमानजनक और मानहानिकारक अंश दिए गए हैं -

Judgement accepting that all songs connected with Lord Krishna were amourous and that all the Gurus are morally corrupt 

“…All songs connected with the God Krishna, which were brought before us were of an amorous, character and it appeared that songs of a corrupting and licentious tendency, both in idea and expression…” - (Maharaj libel case judgement, pg. 411)

“…In these songs, as well as in stories, both written and traditional, which latter are treated as of a religions character in the sect, the subject of sexual intercourse is most prominent. Adultery is made familiar to the minds of all; it is nowhere discouraged or denounced, but on the contrary, in some of the stories those persons who. have committed that great moral and social offence are commended, and in one of them, the actors are awarded the highest position in the heaven of the Vaishnavas, although nominally  for some attention paid on-one occasion to the clearing of a temple of the God, The love and subserviancy inculcated by the Hindū  religion to be due in a spiritual sense to the Supreme Being has been by those corrupt teachings materialised and to a large extent, transferred to those who claim to be his living incarnations….The Maharajas, however, appear upon the evidence to have indoubtedly availed themselves of the existence of those impressions to gratify licentious propensities and a love of gain. These doctrines and practices are opposed to what we know of the original principles of the ancient Hindū religion which are said to be found in the Veds.” (Maharaj libel case judgement, pg. 411)

"Judgement accepting Dr. Wilson’s views on Lord Krishna which is a complete mis-representation of Hindū Sanātana scriptures and defamatory against the supreme God head of Hindū Sanātana (i.e Lord Krishna)"

“…This succinct statement seems to contain; the essence of the whole matter. It is Krishna, the darling of the 16,000 Gopees (or shepherdesses); Krishna the love-hero the husband of the 16,000 princesses, who is the paramount object of Vallabhacharya’s worship. This tinges whole system with the stain of carnal Sensualism of strange transcendental lewdness. See for instance, how the sublime Brahminical doctrine of unition with “Brahma” is tainted and degraded by this sensuous mode of regarding the Diety. According to the old Brahminical tenet, “BRAMHA”, the All-containing and Indestructible, the Soul of which the Universe is the Body, abides from eternity to eternity as the fontal source of all Spiritual existence; reunion with Bramha, absorption into Bramha, is the beatitude for which, every separated spirit yearns, and which after, animating its appointed cycle of individuated living organisms, it is ultimately destined, to attain…

For many ages the incarnations of the Veds prayed Shri'Krishna, the most Excellent Being, for a sight of his form; the wish being granted, desire was produced in them and they prayed to Krishna to satisfy their hearts' desire, so that they might enjoy with him in the form of women; this desire also was granted, and the traditions, under the form of women enjoyed Krishna as Gopees with adulterine love in the mythical forest of “Vrij” (Maharaj libel case judgement, pg. 439)

“…Ras Lila or ''amorous dalliance'- is held forth as the highest bliss here. Ras-lila is the principal employment of Paradise hereafter…” (Maharaj libel case judgement, pg. 441)

मुख्य चिंता के बिंदु

ऐतिहासिक विकृति:
1862 के महाराज मानहानि मामले के ब्रिटिश युग के निर्णयों का उपयोग भगवान कृष्ण और हिंदू समुदाय के चरित्र को मलिन करने के लिए किया जा रहा है। ये निर्णय, औपनिवेशिक शासन के दौरान किए गए थे, जो हिंदू परंपराओं की एक पक्षपाती और अधूरी समझ को दर्शाते हैं और समकालीन हिंदू विश्वासों और प्रथाओं को न्याय करने या प्रस्तुत करने के लिए उपयोग नहीं किए जाने चाहिए।

अपमानजनक चित्रण:
फिल्म "महाराज" कथित तौर पर हिंदू गुरुओं और देवताओं को अनैतिक और कामुक व्यवहार में लिप्त दिखाती है, जो हिंदू शिक्षाओं का एक घोर गलत प्रतिनिधित्व है। ऐसे चित्रण हिंदू धर्म के अनुयायियों, विशेष रूप से पुष्टिमार्ग समुदाय के वैष्णव संप्रदाय के लिए गहराई से अपमानजनक हैं।

सांस्कृतिक असंवेदनशीलता:
नेटफ्लिक्स जैसे प्लेटफॉर्म पर इस फिल्म को वैश्विक रूप से रिलीज़ करने से इन गलत धारणाओं और अपमानजनक चित्रणों को व्यापक रूप से फैलाने की संभावना है, जिससे अंतर्राष्ट्रीय समुदाय की नजर में हिंदुओं और हिंदू धर्म की छवि धूमिल होगी।

सामाजिक अशांति की संभावना:
इस फिल्म की रिलीज से भारत और विदेशों में हिंदू समुदायों में व्यापक आक्रोश और सामाजिक अशांति पैदा होने की संभावना है। धार्मिक आंकड़ों और प्रथाओं के गलत प्रतिनिधित्व से कानून और व्यवस्था का टूटना हो सकता है। अगर भगवान कृष्ण और हिंदू अनुयायियों को खराब प्रकाश में दिखाया जाता है तो वैश्विक हिंदू सनातन अनुयायियों को नस्लीय, शारीरिक भेदभाव और मौखिक गालियों का सामना करना पड़ सकता है और "महाराज" पुस्तक और फिल्म के निर्माता इसके लिए पूरी तरह से जिम्मेदार होंगे।

हमारी मांगे

1. 
   1.    रिलीज पर तत्काल रोक: हम मांग करते हैं कि फिल्म "महाराज" की रिलीज पर तत्काल रोक लगाई जाए।
   2.    सामग्री की समीक्षा: हम हिंदू विद्वानों और समुदाय के नेताओं के एक पैनल द्वारा फिल्म की सामग्री की गहन समीक्षा का अनुरोध करते हैं ताकि यह सुनिश्चित किया जा सके कि यह धार्मिक भावनाओं को आहत नहीं करता है या हिंदू परंपराओं का गलत प्रतिनिधित्व नहीं करता है।
   अपमानजनक सामग्री को हटाना: फिल्म के किसी भी हिस्से को जो अपमानजनक या गलत पाया जाता है, सार्वजनिक रिलीज से पहले हटा दिया जाना चाहिए।
   3.    नेटफ्लिक्स से हटाना: हम विशेष रूप से मांग करते हैं कि नेटफ्लिक्स इंडिया अपने प्लेटफॉर्म से फिल्म "महाराज" को हटाए ताकि हिंदू देवताओं और अनुयायियों के खिलाफ मानहानिकारक सामग्री के प्रसार को रोका जा सके।
   4.    कानूनी कार्रवाई: हम अधिकारियों से आईपीसी की धारा 153ए, 295ए, 505(2) और 34 के तहत फिल्म निर्माताओं के खिलाफ एफआईआर दर्ज करने और हिंदू देवताओं और अनुयायियों की मानहानि को रोकने के लिए आवश्यक कानूनी कार्रवाई करने का आग्रह करते हैं।
   हम मानते हैं कि सभी धर्मों और उनकी भावनाओं का सम्मान करना हमारे जैसे विविध समाज में सद्भाव और शांति बनाए रखने के लिए महत्वपूर्ण है। हम आपसे हमारी मांगों को गंभीरता से लेने और इस गंभीर मुद्दे को हल करने के लिए तत्काल कार्रवाई करने का अनुरोध करते हैं।

हम उन सभी व्यक्तियों और संगठनों से अपील करते हैं जो धार्मिक विविधता और सांस्कृतिक संवेदनशीलता का सम्मान करते हैं कि इस याचिका का समर्थन करें और हिंदू परंपराओं और देवताओं की पवित्रता की रक्षा करने में मदद करें।

इस महत्वपूर्ण मामले पर ध्यान देने के लिए धन्यवाद।

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