Original subtitles

Okay.

Okay.

Okay, okay, okay.

1832, Vadaal, a village in Gujarat,

a son was born in Mulji Jivraj's orthodox Vaishnav family.

Just look at him. He looks exactly like his grandfather.

So let us name him after his grandfather.

Karsan. Karsan Das.

Since childhood, Karsan didn't like being called "Das"

meaning servant and he made his displeasure evident.

There he goes again.

Your son can't stay still even for ten minutes.

My Karsan can't be bound by anything.

Is that so, child?

As Karsan grew older, his curiosity and questions

grew by leaps and bounds.

Why did you put grains into the fire?

To send it to God.

Does that mean the fire knows where God lives?

Yes, this one.

- Ba? - Yes?

Why do we go to the mandir every day?

Not mandir. It's called Haveli. I've told you, right?

Bhabhu, tell me, who is that next to Shriji Baba?

Vallabhacharya,

the founder of our religious sect.

And that is Yamuna Maharaniji, Shrinathji's sister.

If you have so many questions, how will you ever pray?

Come on, join your hands.

Oh, Shriji Baba, take good care of my Karsan.

Does Shriji Baba know how to speak Gujarati?

Is He from our village?

- Please tell me, Ma. - Karsan, join your hands now!

Bapuji? Why do Ba and Bhabhu cover their face?

So she can be protected from negative energy. Careful!

- Be careful. - Careful.

Bapuji, what's the point of them covering their face

if they can't see properly?

This curious and outspoken Karsan

had to grow up ahead of his time,

when he lost his mother at the tender age of ten.

After this, his father remarried.

Karsan's maternal uncle, or Mamaji

uprooted this young sapling and brought him to the city.

Bombay,

the city of seven islands, gifted in dowry to an English king.

The king rented it to the East India Company

for the amount of ten pounds per year.

Even then, Bombay was less a city and more of an idea,

a busy port,

that became the hub of the cotton traders of the Gujarati Vaishnav sect.

Back then, the Vaishnavs had seven Havelis in Bombay.

In the heart of Kalbadevi, stood the most significant Haveli.

The British were the rulers then, but people revered only JJ.

JJ - the Haveli's head maharaj.

Close to this big Haveli was Karsan's mamaji's house,

where he took root again.

Bhabhu!

Amidst Bhabhu's love and the strictures of Vaishnav traditions,

Karsan grew up.

Soon enough, Karsan became a part of Bombay,

and Bombay, a part of Karsan.

I'm an untouchable! Move away!

I'm an untouchable! Move away!

I'm an untouchable! Move away!

Bhai, give me some chutney.

Huh?

It's very crowded there. Can you give me some?

You'll be cursed for life. I'm an untouchable.

I asked for chutney, you're telling me about your caste.

Karsan's revolutionary thinking

was inspired by reformers like Dadabhai Naoroji.

- Ah, Karsan, my boy, come in. - Sir. Good morning. Thank you!

Karsan often wrote articles for his newspaper, Rast Goftar.

THE RAST GOFTAR

People were introduced to a new way of thinking

and radical ideas that questioned social evils.

It wasn't just the common man,

but also the famous social activists fighting for freedom, progress and reform,

Seth Gokuldas Tejpal and Sohrabji Ardeshir

who began reading his articles.

Being a widow is not a crime.

WIDOW REMARRIAGE

Nor is it a disease that we exclude them from the community.

Isn't it already tragic enough that someone lost their life partner…

People began attending Karsan's meetings.

So did Tejpal and Ardeshir.

Bhabhu!

Bhabhu.

Hey! What's this?

Happy Holi to you, Bhabhu.

Bless you. Happy Holi.

If I had my way, I'd cover you in color.

But you can't have your way, can you?

Someday I will.

One day everything will change.

One day, every widow... Shh!

You and your reforms.

Now go and play Holi with the one for whom you've got this color.

You've waited for many years since the engagement and so has she.

You'll be married soon.

Everything will change after that.

Why will everything change after marriage?

These young and carefree thoughts are often tamed by the veil, beta.

Forget it. Now go! Go, go!

- Tell me how do I look? - Very handsome.

Bhabhu?

Hey! Karsan!

- Jai Shri Krishna, Mukhiyaji! - Jai Shri Krishna.

No color on you today?

Oh, let Lalla play first. After that I'll play Holi with you all.

What?

What is wrong with you?

I can't understand.

Take your hand off my mouth. Then you'll understand.

No!

We can't play Holi till JJ puts color on Lalla

and celebrates Holi before all of us.

And where does it say so?

Why do you always want proof? If you had your way,

you'd be looking for Sri Krishna's signature in the Bhagvad Gita.

- Your devotion itself is flawed. - And so is your love.

I am your fiancé.

I have the right to put color on you before anyone else.

Arey! Didn't I tell you not to?

Maharaj comes before the fiancé.

And religion before love.

It'll be a big sin.

And what if I can't see colors in my next life?

Do you think that can happen?

I do. JJ said so in a sermon.

JJ can't be wrong.

Whatever JJ says is right, uh?

His words are set in stone.

Maharaj is Lord Krishna's descendant. That's why he is called JJ.

He can never lie to devotees.

One can reach God directly, Kishori.

There's no need for a JJ in between.

If you obsess about the means, you'll lose sight of the target.

Won't you?

Be direct. Don't talk in riddles again.

Okay, fine.

I will not question your devotion ever again,

and you don't question my beliefs. Okay?

Happy?

Hmm.

We're getting married in a few days.

Surely I have the right now.

- Kishori! - Maasi.

- JJ is arriving. - JJ is here.

Kishori! Hey, be careful!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

All hail Yadunath Maharaj!

Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

All hail Yadunath Maharaj!

Hail!

All hail Yadunath Maharaj!

- All hail Giriraj Dharan! - Hail!

- All hail Vallabhadhish! - Hail!

All hail Giriraj Dharan!

Hail!

All hail Ladle Lal!

Hail!

All hail Yadunath Maharaj!

Hail!

All hail Vallabhadhish!

Hail!

- All hail Giriraj Dharan! - Hail!

- All hail Ladle Lal! - Hail!

Amongst all the girls, you've been chosen to do charan seva this Holi.

I feel I've already attained moksh, Masi.

Please tell Ma, she must make laapsi to celebrate.

Sure.

- Ah, Jai Shri Krishna.. - Jai Shri Krishna.

Go on, child.

- Hail Giriraj Dharan. - Hail.

Hail.

Hey, have you seen Kishori?

Huh?

Where has she gone?

You do not touch the feet before charan seva.

So what is your name?

Kishori!

Kishori!

Jai Shri Krishna.

Devi, where's your moti behen?

Karsan Bhai, you don't know about it?

JJ has chosen Moti Behen for charan seva.

We will make laapsi at home today.

- Giridhar Khawas? - Hmm?

Can we watch the charan seva?

- That will be 11 rupees. - Hmm.

Here you go.

Hmm.

Watch quietly through the window. Hmm?

And be careful.

The boy has only just hit puberty.

Make sure he doesn't scream while he learns.

Yes, I know.

Come on, hurry up.

Uh, uh, uh, uh, hold on, mister.

You can't go in, charan seva is on. Now leave!

But my fiancée is inside.

Your fiancée? I'm so sorry.

Then you should definitely watch.

Upstairs, from the window. Go ahead.

Yes, straight ahead.

Kishori!

Karsan?

- Hey! - Move!

Kishori!

You disrupted the charan seva. You'll be cursed!

You'll be born a dog in your next life.

The ritual has been disrupted because of you!

Get away from here! Right now! Get out!

What were you doing in the name of charan seva, Kishori?

I didn't expect this of you.

Let's go home.

Kishori, let's leave!

Shh.

Keep your voice down.

This is both service and tradition.

You are confusing devotion with physical desires and lust.

Never mind.

Kishori…

You can leave if you wish to.

You go ahead. I'll come later.

You heard her?

She'll be home soon. Don't worry.

Anyway, leftovers…

are blessings from the Haveli and blessings…

are not kept.

They're given away.

Want some?

I can't digest leftovers.

Neither of food…

nor of honor.

Karsan?

Karsan?

Hey, Karsan!

Karsan!

Karsan.

Why didn't you come for the morning prayers today?

Please talk to me.

I just performed seva at the Haveli.

Few have the good fortune to serve.

Your unspoken words are hurting me.

- Why won't you say... - What do you want me to say?

Can I say that impostor was exploiting you?

You don't need any kind of religion to know right from wrong.

You need wisdom to know the difference, Kishori.

And yesterday you proved you don't have it.

I waited four years for you to complete your studies,

become capable.

This is what you learned?

This is what you call devotion? This is service?

- You said you wouldn't question my... - I can question blind devotion, can't I?

You went to school but you learned nothing.

Why didn't you refuse your masi?

Why did you let JJ touch you?

He called you his leftovers.

How can you feel any pride in this, Kishori?

You would hesitate to hold my hand, in spite of me being your fiancé.

But with that man...

- I had no choice. - You did have a choice!

You went to him willingly. By yourself.

If a door is locked from within and you hold the key,

yet you decide to remain locked up,

then you've chosen to be a prisoner.

It's not your compulsion.

You were following traditions, not religion.

Why are you so angry? Huh?

What did I do that was so wrong?

There have been many more girls like me.

If your mother had been alive, she would have sent your sister to...

Kishori!

Bapuji will pay the fine to the panch and break this engagement.

I'm sorry but we are over.

He broke off the engagement, JJ.

Ignorant fools, all of them.

Whatever happens, happens for the best.

It happens as per God's will.

These tears have made your virtues shine even brighter.

You're special to me from today.

Do you want to be JJ's special girl?

Hmm?

Where is JJ?

He has gone for evening aarthi.

"JJ's special girl."

There are three types of seva.

Surrendering your mind to God,

meaning Manasi Seva.

Offering financial support in service,

meaning Vitaja Seva.

And surrendering your physical self to God,

meaning Tanuja Seva.

Do you want to be JJ's special girl?

Devi! What are you doing here!

Get out!

- Moti Behen... - I said get out!

She's my sister.

You exploit girls in the name of seva, JJ.

You make us feel special for a few moments

and just exploit our devotion.

You just use us and there's nothing more to this.

I considered you as God.

You're just an ordinary man.

A cheat, corrupt.

Not my heart,

it's my trust that you've broken.

I've lost all respect, JJ.

For you

and for myself as well.

If I see you at the backside of the Haveli, I'll break your legs!

Why are you so angry?

Yesterday we were celebrating, why are you sad today?

Are you jealous of me?

Moti Behen, what's wrong?

I've made a terrible mistake.

I gave JJ something

that was only meant for Karsan.

I hoped for…

I hoped for heaven when die, but I chose a living hell.

What have I done, Devi? What have I done with my life?

Karsan broke off our engagement today.

What?

Ba, Babuji know about it?

Then please convince him to change his mind.

But how do I face him?

The eyes that were filled with love for me,

are now filled with disgust.

No matter what I do, his principles will outdo my apologies.

I have lost Karsan forever.

He's gone, he'll never come back.

I know he won't.

Ba ties a knot in her dupatta and prays to get back all the things she has lost.

Until Karsan Bhai doesn't forgive you and come back to you,

we won't open this knot. Okay?

Are you the only wise one here, Karsan? Are the rest of us crazy?

You portray yourself as some great social reformer.

But do you ever think what our family has to go through because of you?

That girl, Kishori and her father Pran Jeevan Bhai…

They won't be able to face the community.

And what crime did she commit, huh?

Many girls perform seva at the Haveli. Even your mami did it.

You shouldn't be proud saying this.

You should be ashamed, Mama.

Don't use your mistake as an example.

I should be ashamed? Huh? I should be ashamed?

Women's education and banning the veil, widow remarriage.

I'm really amazed that you can think of such crass and disgusting ideas.

And I'm really amazed why you don't get such ideas at all, Mama.

The world of thinkers is clearly different from the way the world thinks.

Bhabhu has lived in this house for years…

in this plain white garb.

Can't you see how colorless her life is?

Divaso, Vat Savitri, Holi, Kevda Trij - why don't you get disturbed

by her unspoken sorrow during these festivals?

Karsan.

Have you thought about her needs, her wants and her bodily desires?

- If you had got her remarried years ago... - That's enough, Karsan!

That's enough!

Enough.

Do not argue and just marry Kishori.

I'll definitely not marry her now.

- What! - Karsan, leave this house immediately.

Get out of this house.

Please leave.

Such a great reformer, orator, and scholar, and he's lying here?

Such a great reformer, orator, and scholar, that is why he is lying here.

Karsan Das, tell me, why are you here?

Because there is no place for my thoughts in my own home.

Is there a place for those who have nowhere to go?

Hmm.

Who…

Who's this Karsan Das?

There is a lot of talk… about him in the Haveli.

He's an atheist.

His faith must have been badly shaken.

Or why would anyone be an atheist?

I need to meet JJ.

Let me go. Just let me go!

JJ! JJ!

What's all this noise?

That Shaamji and his sister… Leelavati are here, JJ.

Who, who Shaamji?

The Dwarka tour's charan…

JJ…

We are ruined, JJ.

What you did to my sister in Dwarka…

My sister is pregnant.

She's pregnant with your child, JJ.

Please save my sister's honor, JJ.

Please save my sister's honor.

Calm down.

Quiet.

I know a few doctors at a hospital.

Take Leelavati there immediately.

They'll abort the child.

Hey, where are you going?

Stop! Stop, JJ!

Why are you aborting my sister's child?

Bhaiya!

Tell me, why did you do this to my sister, JJ?

No, Leelavati, why are you begging to this man?!

- Don't do this! - Forgive us, JJ. Please forgive us.

This is your child, JJ.

I don't wont to abort it.

I told you, I'm here for you.

I'll handle everything.

- Oh no, no! No, no! - Eat.

Don't have it, Leelavati!

No! No! Don't have it, Leelavati.

No!

Eat it.

Leelavati, why did you have it?

Why did you have it, Leelavati?

Someone please help us. Come out and help, please!

Hey, bhai! Bhai, bhai, bhai!

What happened? Who are you?

Bhai, this is my sister.

She's pregnant. JJ…

JJ fed her a laddoo as prasad.

Hey, Leelavati.

Bhai, please save us from JJ.

I… I'll take her to a hospital.

- I'll be right back! - You'll be fine, okay?

Open the door!

I said, open the door!

Lalvanji Maharaj, I-I just saw these two people outside.

Have you seen them? They were at the back of the Haveli.

- They were really hurt... - There are many such people

that the Haveli has swallowed up, Karsan Das.

It has become a man-eater.

It preys on the ones it should be protecting.

If you know this, then why don't you and the other Maharajs do something?

Yadunath Maharaj's aura.

Thanks to him, the Haveli has seen wealth.

Our sect has flourished all over the country.

Millions walk the same path with us now.

He has become the face of the Haveli.

And now his power is so great and far-reaching

that we have no choice but to stay silent about everything.

What we can't do from within the Haveli,

you do from the outside, Karsan Das.

You write about social issues already.

Why not write about this too?

I'm an ordinary devotee, Lalvanji Maharaj.

If you aren't able to raise any questions, how can I?

If you don't question, you're not a true devotee.

And without answers, it's not true dharma.

If you are denied your rights, then fight for it.

Fight for it?

But I'm not a Kshatriya.

If not by birth,

let your karma make you one.

No fight is more violent than the one fought for dharma.

Hail Vallabhadhish!

Hail Vallabhadhish!

People need to be made aware of all this, Naoroji Bhai.

What's happening in the Haveli is illegal.

It's not that easy, Karsan.

If Lalvanji Maharaj can't raise objections,

then me or you won't be able to stand up against him or his ways.

Don't waste time on petty issues.

Our job is to clean up the country's mess.

Keep your focus on that.

If everyone starts cleaning the country, who's staying back to clean the home?

The home? Hmm.

All right, let's start with that.

Kishori had come here.

You called off the engagement?

She told me the reason.

What you did was right and even wrong.

Karsan, there are three steps to social reform.

The first is to make a person aware of his mistake.

Realization.

The second is to correct the mistake.

Reformation.

And the third is to bring the person back into society.

Rehabilitation.

You did make Kishori aware of her mistake.

But didn't give her the chance to correct it.

This reformation should have begun with you, Karsan.

What you're saying is right, Naoroji Bhai.

- I'll go to Kishori today itself... - Karsan! Hurry up!

Karsan, don't irritate me.

Please let me study. I have an exam tomorrow.

You keep doing your work, and I'll keep doing mine.

I'm stuck with studies, all thanks to you.

Just complete your studies soon so we can get married soon.

I can't wait any longer.

Why are you being so impatient?

You're the only person in my life whom I can call my own, Kishori.

You are my friend, you're my lover, and you're my family.

My God!

If I disappear, your world will come crashing down in a second.

Where do you think you can disappear?

I'll break your legs.

- Love me so much? - More than you'll ever know.

If I were to lose you,

this Karsan would lose himself too.

♪ I'm taking refuge in Lord Krishna ♪

♪ I'm taking refuge in Lord Krishna ♪

I had never imagined that this is how…

I would send my daughter away, Mulji Bhai.

Karsan Bhai.

I found this in Moti Behen's cupboard.

I was completely blind,

to such an extent

that I could not tell the difference between a human being and God.

Now that I can see clearly,

I just cannot look you in the eye.

I gave no proof of my remorse while alive.

I give it with my death.

Maybe now you will believe how ashamed I was.

I could not be your companion

but do make me the cause for your fight.

Expose JJ's truth to the world, Karsan.

That will be my moksh.

Maharaj!

Yadunath Maharaj!

Congratulations, JJ!

One more person has been sacrificed for the Haveli today.

I'm really saddened by Kishori's death.

Kishori's death is not suicide. It's murder!

And you are her murderer!

How would you feel if your daughter or Vahuji were called to another Haveli

to perform charan seva?

Karsan Das!

How dare you speak of my wife and daughter in this manner?

Why? Why did you get angry when I mentioned their names?

Why don't the same thoughts occur to you

when you dishonor others' wives and daughters?

God cleanses sins, he doesn't create them, JJ.

No one else may do it, but now I will speak,

I will raise questions, and I will publish articles against you.

Today's papers are tomorrow's scrap, Karsan Das.

Only dharm stands the course of time.

You don't realize the power words can hold.

And you don't realize the power of dharm.

Have you ever thought about what would happen

when it dawns on all the devotees that God had left the Haveli long ago?

So I am here instead of God.

Maharaj Yadunath.

Lord of the Yadus.

And you?

You are Karsan "Das."

Krishna's servant.

Our names hold the nature of our karma.

These names are merely titles, JJ.

Parents and society give these to us.

It is not our names, it's our karma that we're known for.

This servant of Krishna will now fight the Haveli.

For the sake of the Haveli.

Not against dharm, but against the gatekeepers of dharm!

Utter fool.

Remember how different the two of us are.

No ordinary Karsan can come anywhere close to a man of my stature.

I will stand on the shoulders of your devotees to reach you.

I promise you.

Now I'll write.

I will write without fear,

mentioning you by name, revealing your truth for all to read!

I have already lost what was dear to me.

Now what will be dragged through the mud will be you and your name.

Even if I fall, JJ,

I'll make sure to take you down with me.

This can't be printed in Rast Goftar, Karsan.

It's a direct attack on the Haveli and JJ.

Rast Goftar has a wide circulation among the Vaishnav community.

They won't tolerate such an accusation against the Maharaj.

Why encourage me to write, when you don't have the courage to publish?

We have printed so many of your articles, Karsan.

Write against the practice. But write without taking names.

Who's stopping you?

Yes, it's important that I write,

but it's more important that people read this.

Maybe this is the right time to start my own newspaper.

It's a very good idea.

Huh?

Yes.

"Never hesitate to ask questions.

Aashirwad, Bhabhu."

SATYA PRAKASH

SATYA PRAKASH

Devi, once this is printed for people to read,

JJ's reality will be exposed.

One moment, I'll be back.

I had promised Moti Behen I won't open this knot

until you truly forgive her for what she had done.

Don't open it yet.

The fight has only just begun.

The day JJ is punished for all his misdeeds

will be the day Kishori's death gets its justice.

Keep this.

We should be very careful.

Here you go.

Nanu Bhai, be careful.

Don't worry at all, Karsan Bhai.

I know Nanu means short, but I'm only short in size.

Actually, I've always shot my arrows at big targets.

So what I'll do is, I'll take a secret route.

Nobody will find out!

Let's go!

You see the narrow gully ahead, go that way. Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, this way, this way. Turn.

Slow down, slow down.

Quietly, quietly.

Don't make so much noise.

SATYA PRAKASH

By morning, there won't be a single copy left in the bazaar to distribute, JJ.

What is going on here, Yadunathji?

Hmm?

"True Hinduism and Current Fraudulent Practices.

The Truth Behind Yadunath Maharaj."

You can burn the newspaper, but not the truth.

You need to apologize, before things get out of hand.

Otherwise, those who worship you today, will question you tomorrow.

Mukhiyaji…

The doors of the Haveli will remain closed for everyone for all the prayers today,

starting from dawn till dusk.

Khawas, send word to each and every Haveli in the city, right away.

Sure.

Devotees don't break their fast till they've attended the morning prayers.

You know this very well.

Yes, that's exactly why.

The hunger of the devotees will compel him to apologize.

HEERABAGH HAVELI, 1838

Once he has bowed before me and begged for forgiveness,

the doors will be reopened.

And until that happens, our Shriji Baba will sit in protest.

And the Haveli will be on strike.

"Attention, Vaishnav Community!

Until Karsan Das Mulji apologizes for insulting the Haveli and our sect,

no one is allowed to enter the Haveli."

What?

"There will be no darshan and no aarti!"

Arre bhai, somebody open the door!

Open the door!

Someone go and call Karsan Das!

Open the door!

Look there! Speak of the devil and there he is!

Apologize!

He's behind all this.

Karsan Das, apologize!

- Apologize! - Karsan Das, apologize!

Karsan Das, apologize!

What have you done?

- Karsan Das, apologize! - Apologize.

- Karsan Das! - Apologize, Karsan Das!

Apologize! What are you standing there for?

- Apologize, Karsan Das! - You will have to apologize!

What will you achieve with my apology?

Will the doors be reopened?

Once he knows he can have his way, he'll close the doors time and again.

Will we beg him to open the doors every single time?

Amongst children, this is called stubbornness,

and amongst the British, it's called blackmail. Do you understand?

If you lose your way while you're travelling,

or you can't go to the Haveli for a few days,

do you starve yourselves?

You pray to God and eat your food, don't you?

So, why are you letting him use something as basic as hunger against you?

See, JJ has a problem with my article.

So, before the copies reached the bazaar, he destroyed all of them.

If I'm the problem, deal with me.

Ban me from entering the Haveli.

Why punish all of you then?

What's the point of penalizing all of you in this fight?

Remember this.

The Haveli always needed and still needs its followers far more

than what we may need the Haveli.

Our donations and devotion keep this factory running.

And workers can go on strike.

But God cannot.

He himself has taught us, right? That God is everywhere.

Then isn't this also Shriji?

Why can't we just pray to Him and break our fast?

Why can't we?

Has the cat got your tongue?

Someone has spoken sense for the first time. Clap for him!

I'm feeling very hungry.

I will pray to this Shriji to break my fast. Okay?

Get in line if you also want to. Come on!

Come on.

The morning aarti will also be held here today.

Now who is this brave man?

Oops!

Jai Shri Krishna!

You cannot go to Him, but He can come to you.

You will perform today's aarti.

How can I do that when you're here, Lalvanji Maharaj?

True, heartfelt devotion, is all that is needed.

So anyone can lead.

Doesn't matter to God in the least.

A few people have forgotten

that we are the Haveli's servants, Karsan,

not masters.

- All hail Giriraj Dharan! - Hail!

All hail this day's joy!

Hail!

Poona Observer, Deccan Herald, Rast Goftar, Mumbai News.

You've been featured in every newspaper.

Everyone is talking about Shriji Baba's prayers at the square.

Now all that's remaining is the reprint of the first edition of Satya Prakash.

Right, Nanu Bhai?

If it hadn't been stolen,

people would have read the newspaper edition by now.

Such bad luck.

They were five of them, and me all by myself.

I even told them, if they wanted, they could have…

Nanu Bhai, focus on the proofs.

It's been going on all day.

Sohrabji Bhai, I shouldn't have gone into that gully in the first place.

Those rogues took everything.

"All the devotees were mesmerized by the morning."

Arre, not by the morning. By the morning aarti.

Now, who'll write aarti, my kaku?

And Haveli is also spelled incorrectly.

He doesn't know a thing.

Jai Shri Krishna.

My name is Viraaj.

We met the other day. At the Haveli.

Yes, yes.

Hmm.

I cheered for you. I'm here to apply for a job.

- So, can you read and write? - What do you mean by that?

Didn't I just spot two mistakes in the proof right now?

I'm very saarp.

"Sh." Sharp.

Saarp. That's what I said.

Saarp, sharp. Both are cut from the same cloth.

10th grade expert.

I studied thrice in the 10th grade.

Well, actually, I failed earlier.

But pass or fail, both are cut from the same cloth.

Never mind all that. Let's talk about work now.

Can I join you?

Please don't fire me, Karsan Seth.

There were five of them.

- I told them, "You can take me... " - Nanu Bhai, enough.

You can work here, but I can't pay you.

Okay.

Now, being poor is the true sign of a reformer, isn't it?

I'll do whatever you say, with full pasun.

' "Sh" - Passion.

Yes, pasunn-pasun. Both are cut from the same cloth.

Focus on the feeling, not my mistakes.

Hey Nanu Kaka…

This is my place now, move it!

No need to stare at me like this.

You're burning me down with that look. I have no time to washte.

That's a "s," not a "sh" sound. "Waste."

He's quite weird, don't you think so?

JJ, should I open the Haveli doors?

For… For the last two days, the aarti and darshan are being done outside.

Let's hope the followers don't start thinking

the old peepal tree is a temple.

The Haveli's doors will be reopened only when that lowly man falls at my feet

and apologizes.

And what if he doesn't?

I'm going to make sure that he does.

You live far away in Vadaal,

perhaps that's why Satya Prakash hasn't reached you yet.

Well, your son is in the news for the wrong reasons.

My son?

I'm responsible for maintaining balance in society.

If someone disrupts it, they need to be punished.

Else every other person will use the Haveli as their spittoon

and spit at it.

I have compassion for every life, but…

when the plague is upon us,

then killing of rats becomes an act of virtue.

I am your well-wisher.

I hope you have understood.

Yes.

Be fearless.

So, I've noticed, you're confused between "s" and "sh."

It is…

"s,"

and "shh."

I know all this. 'S' and 's, ' right? That's what I'm saying.

I want this printed.

Bapuji, what a surprise?

Bapuji, what a surprise?

When did you come from Vadaal?

I want this printed in Satya Prakash.

"I, Mulji Jivraj,

hereby sever all ties with my son, Karsan Mulji forever.

He shall have no right to my name,

my property or be able to perform my last rites.

I did not, do not and will not have any connection

with his actions and writings."

This is your handwriting.

But the words seem to echo Yadunath Maharaj.

You've been thrown out of the house,

and now your sect will also disown you.

There is still time.

Come to your senses.

Go and ask for forgiveness.

If your community disowns you, you'll be all alone.

What use is a community that robs you of your courage?

Viraaj…

Make sure you get this printed in the next issue.

What are you thinking about?

That I'm not good at handling relationships.

Kishori, mama, mami,

Bhabhu… Bapuji.

One after another I have lost all of them.

I was let down by my own people.

It's your own teeth that bite your tongue.

If your loved ones have let you down,

then make those your own in whom you see hope.

The moment I heard your first speech,

I knew I'll only marry you.

- Viraaj, me and Kishori... - Listen, I know everything about Kisori.

My family discouraged me.

My father gave me two tight slaps on my face.

But I'm pretty stubborn, you see.

- I can see that. - Do I have any choice?

I have to be stubborn to get close to you.

I can cook very well,

I can embroider birds on clothes, I can even iron using a hot pot.

I've studied up to the tenth grade and I'm the eldest sibling.

I may not be that pretty,

but for a second proposal, you won't find someone better than me.

No, I mean… I'm outspoken, but I'm good at heart.

To cut a long story short, you won't find someone else,

and only someone crazy would marry me.

And my father told me, "No matter how much you look around,

you won't find anyone crazier than Karsan Das in our community."

And, I really can't ask God for anything more.

Will you be my hushband?

"Husband."

Yes, yes, "hushband" "hushband." Cut from the same cloth.

Okay fine. If I say husband and not hushband,

will you marry me?

Options are yes and yes.

No.

No? Oh, bhai, maara! No was not even an option.

Okay, but, at least tell me why you're saying no.

Viraaj,

- I don't want to stray from my objective. - But...

And it's entirely in your power to do that.

Was that a compliment or an insult?

Accha, lishen, I'll wait for you!

"Listen," "s" with an "s."

Yes, yes, that's what I said.

This "s," "sh" issue is going to kill me.

YES OR YES

Hey, buggy vaala! Come on, let's go!

SATYA PRAKASH

The article was reprinted and people have read it, JJ.

Karsan has lost his mind.

People are asking all sorts of questions.

Vahuji.

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad is here… with medicine.

He says…

it's urgent.

- JJ. - JJ.

- JJ, pranaam. - JJ, pranaam.

Please forgive us, JJ.

She isn't… feeling too well today.

Come.

JJ, pranam.

Make way, move.

They've probably read the Satya Prakash.

One Karsan is more than enough to wake up everyone.

Next time you feel like pressing the fingers of young women,

stop and think…

People might just stop worshiping the toes on your feet.

Do remember that.

JJ.

That article has caused a lot of damage, JJ.

We're getting fewer gifts and donations.

It's a good thing that you have reopened the Haveli doors.

Or we would have suffered, immensely.

Your silence is your weakness.

That's what… the devotees are saying.

Everyone.

JJ, should I get rid of Karsan tonight itself?

If anything happens to Karsan now, then everyone will point fingers at me.

If dharm couldn't silence him, the courts will shut him up now.

Send word to Bailey that I wish to meet him right away.

A defamation suit claiming 50,000 rupees!

I had never thought the Haveli would knock on the doors of the court.

It's time to tread with caution, Karsan.

I'm a school headmaster.

My salary is 60 rupees.

Even if I sell my land, my house, my village home,

I would still have less than 5,000 rupees.

If I have nothing to lose, then I have nothing to fear.

What's the worst that could happen?

Jail.

So be it. I will continue writing in jail.

The problem now is that we have to go to court.

And the court always asks for proof,

which we don't have and I don't think we ever will.

Who would allow a wife or a daughter to even walk into a court

to testify that the Maharaj exploited them?

Where will we find witnesses who can take the stand against JJ?

As soon as I heard about the notice from Maharaj,

I called for a meeting with the Bhatias.

Please meet them, Karsan Das

They'll testify in court against JJ.

- All hail Giriraj Dharan! - Hail!

- All hail Ladle Lal! - Hail!

- All hail Vallabhadhish! - Hail!

- All hail Ladle Lal! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Vallabhadhish! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

I want you to prepare a pitcher of gold, Khawas.

The great Karsan Das is here to wash my feet and beg forgiveness.

"The newly married bride must come to the Haveli

to receive blessings on her wedding night."

This was the order.

Shyamlal Seth's third son is actually JJ's child.

He's raising him as his own.

Kapol, Das, Goswami, Shrinivas, and many more such stories.

We will testify in court.

You lead the way, Karsan Das.

- All hail Giriraj Dharan! - Hail!

- All hail Ladle Lal! - Hail!

Welcome, Karsan Das. I've been waiting for you.

I believe if the prodigal one returns, then all is forgiven and forgotten.

Wash his feet and apologize. End of story.

What's going on, Khawas?

The revered Yadunath Maharaj has filed a defamation case of 50,000 against me.

I've come to respond to his notice.

Mr. Arnsty, my lawyer.

This child will fight a case against me? huh?

I doubt he's even hit puberty yet.

So you should definitely watch out, JJ

Anyway, you have a thing for younger people, don't you?

See you in court.

Hail Vallabhadhish!

No maharaj of our sect

has gone through the doors of a courtroom till today.

You shouldn't either.

This is a request from all of us.

Hmm.

So… what is it that you all want me to do now?

Apologize to that Karsan Das?

Withdraw the defamation case and openly accept

that the Haveli has been exploiting its devotees all these years?

It's only a coward who wants to keep his actions secret.

But I do no fear anything or anyone whatsoever.

It's necessary to keep the devotees in control

as fear keeps them on the path of Dharm.

I cannot afford to let the centuries-old penance of our ancestors

go in vain for this now.

I, Maharaj Yadunath, am the face of this sect.

I have brought immense wealth to this Haveli.

I will go to court

and I will teach that Das such a lesson

that no other man will dare to question the practices of the Haveli again.

Karsan Das, the Bhatias have sent a message.

They said they don't want to testify in court.

Varjivan Bhatia is missing since afternoon.

And the other Bhatias, they are being threatened with banishment.

And because of JJ, the entire fraternity has turned against them.

Everyone is extremely scared.

Unbelievable. What can we do now?

Those men were all we had.

If you like, we can file a conspiracy case against them.

That way, once the summons have been issued,

- they'll have to come to court to testify. - Hmm.

They're already in a fix, Mr. Arnsty.

Let's not pressure them more.

- Where are you going? - To the press.

It's important that everyone knows how low Maharaj can stoop.

- But... - Tejpal, calm down.

Karsan, listen…

Come with me.

How did it catch fire?

Tejpal Seth's press was burned down because of me.

Bapuji was right.

You should always choose your friends and enemies according to your own status.

The very people I'm fighting for have turned against me.

- Whom do I fight for now? - Fight for your goal.

For each and every woman

who has been wronged and is screaming from within.

Imagine what those women must be going through

when their own husbands send them to JJ willingly.

I was just 16…

when Ba and Babuji took me to the Haveli…

to perform charan seva.

I was only a child back then.

So innocent.

But I could understand that

what was happening was so creepy, so dirty.

I cried, I yelled and somehow ran away from there

and then never set foot in the back door of the Haveli again.

Perhaps every girl may not understand in time like I did, Karsan.

If she can't become a Viraaj, she shouldn't be a Kisori either.

That's your responsibility.

People like JJ are the enemies of change and reform.

And now even if you lose, your ideologies would still have won.

This case is merely a part of a major fight.

Our fight is so much bigger than this.

So why this deshpair?

It's "despair."

Cut from the same cloth.

Okay, if I say "despair" instead of "deshpair,"

will you continue your fight?

Options are… yes and yes.

Karsan Bhai, Tejpal Seth has called you right away.

JJ's Vahuji has come to his house.

Vahuji?

I heard what has happened to the… to the Bhatias.

Heard about the press too.

Please go to this address.

You will find a witness over there for your case.

Vahuji, what are you doing here?

I'm split between my family and my principles as I help you.

I just don't have the courage…

to choose one of them.

- Hail Vallabhadhish. - Jai Shri Krishna.

Jai Shri Krishna.

I just don't have the courage…

PRAKASH CHAMARIA, NEAR KATHIARA'S SHOP SECOND HOUSE FROM JATEH, KUMBHARWADI

I'm an untouchable. Move away.

I knew for sure that you would find me someday.

Aren't you the…?

Come inside. Come quick.

Leelavati. Leelavati!

Karsan Das Mulji is here.

Namaste. I am Shaamji Damodar

This is my sister, Leelavati.

That night I came with a handcart to get the both of you.

- But by the time I reached... - Before you could come back,

two men came and dragged us into the Haveli.

And then we saw that Vahuji was waiting for us.

JJ had fed her a laddoo with dhatura seeds to induce an abortion.

But Vahuji gave her salt water to drink, so she could throw up.

If she's sent you here, this could only mean one thing.

That Vahuji now wants us to…

to testify against JJ in court.

And we will surely do that.

The hearing is in 15 days.

If JJ gets to know, he'll try his tricks again.

What do we do?

Let's hide them… in Tejpal Seth's Mamleshwar bungalow

till the hearing happens.

Okay.

Please don't worry.

I'll be responsible for your safety.

They can burn down the press, but can't destroy your passion.

From now, Satya Prakash will be printed here.

Karsan!

Who sent this letter?

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad sent it, Yadunath Maharaj's personal physician.

- All hail Vallabhadhish! - Hail!

- All hail Ladle Lal! - Hail!

- All hail Vallabhadhish! - Hail!

- All hail Ladle Lal! - Hail!

Welcome, Karsan… Das.

Before we face each other in court,

I'm willing to give you one last chance but…

I have three conditions.

One, apologize to me.

Two,

apologize to me.

And three,

apologize to me…

in private,

in the Haveli,

and in court

and I will withdraw the case.

An apology will be sought just once, Yadunath Maharaj.

In the court.

As to who'll apologize to whom…

the court will decide that.

I just wanted to give you one last chance.

Chances are usually given to the less privileged, you see.

Or the less intelligent.

So I should be the one giving you a chance, JJ.

But the difference is that now even if you apologize,

I'll see to it that the case is not dismissed.

May I leave?

Take some prasad before you leave, Karsan.

Leelavati.

This is… Leelavati, Karsan.

Early this morning before dawn,

I got both Leelavati and Giridhar Khawas married.

The poor thing has two younger sisters, elderly parents,

and well, a child needs a father's name.

Where is Shaamji Damodar?

Who? Shaamji? Who? Damodar who?

Her brother.

Ah, yes.

Now, where Shaamji is…

Lord Shyamji knows.

Karsan…

Did you really think that…

I wouldn't keep an eye on you?

I clearly told you to apologize, but you…

proved you are a Das.

Never mind.

As Shriji wishes,

Ask for it in court…

the apology

after paying 50,000 rupees.

Hail Vallabhadhish!

JJ is here.

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

I have given verdicts in over 200 cases, Joseph.

I've never seen people so involved in a case before.

It's their religion which keeps them united, I say.

It also divides them.

How else have we ruled over them for so long?

You see, he could have had his chariot pulled till the court.

But he did not.

A show of strength.

An empty barrel always makes the loudest noise.

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

We've heard the opening statements of Maharaj Libel Case 12047.

Shall we continue with the proceedings, gentlemen?

I'd like to call

Yadunath Brijratanji Maharaj to the witness box to begin with.

Where am I running away?

I'm sitting right here.

Ask whatever you need to, I will answer from here.

Objection, my lord. The plaintiff must obey protocol.

Overruled.

As you can see, the plaintiff is in a league of his own, Mr. Arnsty.

Let's humor him for a bit, shall we?

You're in the habit of accepting gifts, JJ.

That's not a gift, it's the Gita.

Place your hand on the Gita and swear

that whatever you say in court will be the truth, and nothing but the truth.

The Maharaj doesn't need to take an oath.

People take oaths in the name of the Maharaj.

The Maharaj does not speak the truth.

What he says

is the only truth.

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

- All hail Vallabhadhish! - Hail!

Take this man outside.

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

And Maharaj, the court will not allow you any more concessions.

Mr. Bailey, will you please make things clear

before your client gets on my nerves?

And Maharaj, the court will not allow you any more concessions.

No problem. It is only an oath by the Gita.

I swear that I will speak the truth and nothing else.

Happy?

For his article printed in Satya Prakash,

you have filed a case against my CL Mr. Karsan Das

with badnakshi, meaning slander or defamation as the charge.

Yes.

Whatever's printed in the article naming him is all factual.

And in order to prove this,

I'd like to call Dr. Ramkrishna Vitthal Lad

to the witness box.

Calling Dr. Ramkrishna Vitthal Lad.

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad,

I believe that's how people address you fondly.

Yes.

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

My lord, I am a qualified doctor graduated from the first batch

of the Grant Medical College in Bombay 1850.

I'm an employee of the British Government, and also personal physician

to the priests of the various Havelis of Bombay and their families too.

So if I were to say you have treated Yadunath Maharaj,

would that be accurate?

That's right.

Chandi ka rog. I treated him for that.

He has chandi ka rog.

My lord, it's a venereal disease,

a sexually transmitted disease.

It is also known as syphilis, my lord.

Order in the court, please.

Doctor Saheb has testified in court that respected JJ has chandi ka rog!

Dr. Lad, how does one contract chandi ka rog?

A person usually contracts this infection on having sexual intercourse repeatedly,

with multiple partners.

Along with medication,

I also advised him to abstain from sexual intercourse with multiple women.

One more point.

JJ asked about medicines used to induce an abortion.

Because old remedies like mixing dhatura seeds in ladoos

don't always work.

He also sent pregnant women to me with…

a letter bearing his name on a few occasions.

I sent them away immediately.

Which in fact also strained my relationship with JJ.

Thank you for your statement, Dr. Lad. No more questions. Your witness, please.

Dr. Lad,

please tell me something.

Did you examine the Maharaj personally for syphilis?

- I didn't. - There was no need to.

Dr. Lad is hard of hearing, I think.

Not chandi ka rog, I had chanda ka rog.

It's also known as chaatha.

Chaatha means…

He means he had boils on his private parts.

Last month I had gone to Tailanga.

I had too much ginger, black pepper and other spices there, so…

I broke out in blisters.

I consulted Dr. Lad.

I said chanda, he heard chandi, and…

it all got lost in translation.

Exactly. Without examination,

it is obviously difficult to say whether it was syphilis or blisters.

It's inconclusive evidence, your lordship,

with a most certain probability of a wrong diagnosis.

Now, the point of abortions.

The ladies who came to you,

did they ever name JJ or complain about him?

Did they say that the child was JJ's?

Did they say they were raped?

Did anyone ever claim the child was his?

If it's his name on the letter, then it means that he...

No, no, no, doctor. I'm sorry.

The letter was from the Maharaj but that does not prove

that the child was also his.

My lord, Dr. Lad is making assumptions.

He has no proof to back his claims.

My lord, ask any doctor for an independent opinion on this.

If he says Maharaj doesn't have secondary symptoms of syphilis,

- I'll quit my profession. - The defense immediately requests

- a medical verification. - Granted.

Don't… my lord!

Do you have any more questions for the doctor, Mr. Bailey?

No more questions, my lord.

I now request the court to allow me to question

JJ's manservant, Giridhar Khawas.

We heard you were married off to a girl named Leelavati last night.

And you obeyed the order quietly.

Not true.

Leelavati and I got married around eight months ago

when I had gone on a tour to Dwarka with JJ.

She is seven months pregnant with my child.

I am the child's father.

I swear it.

"It's my child and I am the child's father."

So why are you insisting repeatedly that the child is yours?

Any doubts about it?

No… it is what it is. I'm not insisting.

It's my child so I'll call it mine, not yours… obviously.

You are stressing this point repeatedly simply because

the child is not yours, but JJ's!

It's his leftovers that you're accepting as prasad.

- Objection! - My lord, Leelavati was raped.

She was fed ladoos poisoned with dhatura seeds to abort her child.

Karsan Das put them in a safe house in Mamleshwar,

but they were abducted from there.

Shaamji was made to disappear,

and Leelavati was forcibly married off to Khawas overnight.

So that neither of them would be able to testify.

To hell with defamation, my lord.

We are dealing with rape,

attempt to murder, and tampering of witnesses!

Arnsty.

This crowd is quiet because of me.

The crowds outside the court and on the roads

are 10-20 times more than those here.

Passionate devotees.

They won't tolerate the insults after a point.

So if rage leads to riots or bloodshed, I won't be responsible for it, my lord.

Mr. Arnsty, any more questions for Giridhar Khawas?

No, my lord. The witness is dismissed.

I would now like to call my client Karsan Das Mulji to the witness box.

Karsan Das Mulji has been summoned to testify against JJ.

What exactly is this "charan seva ke darshan," Karsan Das?

Watching the Maharaj have a physical relationship

with a female devotee.

You mean intercourse?

Inside the Haveli? Yes.

Devotees have the privilege of watching this indecency by paying money.

Oh Vallabhadhish! Oh Giriraj Dharan!

Show him mercy, Prabhu, as he does not know what he is saying.

Showing devotees the charan seva,

so they experience moksh is my duty, my utmost privilege.

It is an age-old practice.

It's important for a practice to be right, not old, JJ.

If it was wrong, they wouldn't be singing its praises in the Haveli.

- All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

All hail Ladle Lal!

Out!

- All hail Vallabhadhish! - Hail!

All hail Yadunath Maharaj! - Hail!

Mr. Karsan Das,

Have you watched the charan seva at the… Haveli with your own eyes?

Yes.

Between my fiancée Kishori and JJ.

Did Kishori have any objection to the act?

I mean was the seva forced upon her in any way?

No.

I'm sorry, could you repeat that?

- No. - No!

A consensual participant, my lord.

But you ended the engagement

- for this very reason, right? - Yes.

And because of that, uh, you were thrown out of your house?

- Yes. - So, naturally,

even your very own family was convinced what happened was completely...

My lord, what are these questions leading to?

To the motive, Mr. Arnsty!

Kishori's suicide!

Banished from his home!

His own father cutting all ties with him.

For all these personal tragedies,

he holds JJ responsible.

He poured all his anger and bitterness for the Maharaj

into the articles he wrote about him in his newspaper.

He made a public spectacle of his personal grudges!

And for what? For what?

Revenge? Is that it?

Or for attention?

Or to earn some fame and money?

That only he can tell!

I'm neither hungry for wealth nor thirsty for fame.

I am a Vaishnav by birth,

a Brahmin by karma.

I'm Kshatriya by spirit.

And I aim to have a Shudra's humility.

That is exactly why I start cleaning up any filth that I come across.

You think about it. What will I achieve by fighting this case?

Or by writing these articles, Vakeel Sahab?

I've never had 50,000 rupees, and I don't think I ever will.

My lord, of late I've been reading a lot of books on religion.

I'm attending satsangs.

The respect that I had for my religion and my sect has increased greatly.

And there's lot of anger towards every person,

who distorts its lofty ideals and purity for vested interest.

The shlok chanted while taking the Brahmsambandh vow is…

This translates as,

"Sri Krishna, you are my only protector.

I humbly offer my body, my mind, my wealth, and my entire world to you.

Krishna, I am your das." Isn't that right, Maharaj?

What's the meaning of this shlok that's taught in the Haveli?

Please tell us.

Before one can touch his bride…

she needs to be…

sent to the Maharaj.

Which word from the entire shlok did he focus on

instead of mind, body, wealth, and world?

"Bharya." Woman.

Tell me, in which ved, or which puran, or in which shaastra does it state

that the Maharaj will touch the woman before her husband?

There are so many more such examples of incorrect interpretations.

The veds, and purans are in Sanskrit, not everyone can read them.

So why not translate them directly? What's the need to transcreate them?

Duplicity can be expected from a commoner, but not from a leader.

To reinterpret changes in meaning across the ages

is the responsibility of the Maharaj, my lord.

Who decides whether you're even worthy or not?

- Who gives you the power? - My devotees give me this power!

The devotees give us donations, ask for sermons

and the women come to me willingly for seva.

So what?

So what if they come willingly?

They may be uneducated, but you are learned.

You are their guru.

You could have simply said no to them, but you did not do that.

Because they fulfilled your lust.

A guru guides the lost along the right path.

But what if the guru goes astray?

Exploitation follows power.

If he goes, another maharaj will come, and he'll make new rules.

Whether they get it or not, I still need to guide the lost.

I've been saying this from the beginning

that my fight is neither against the Haveli nor any sect.

Yes, I still bow with full devotion at the Haveli's entrance.

I take pride in being a Vaishnav.

I continue to be a proud and devout Vaishnav, my lord.

I don't have any personal issues or grudge against JJ.

The wrongdoing should end not the wrongdoer.

These are the wrongdoings that we devotees are a part of.

You can't clap with one hand, my lord.

The Maharajs have got away with this because we have let them.

You don't allow your daughters to go out, your daughters-in-law to drop their veils.

Can any man even dare to enjoy charan seva with them?

And let others watch?

They want charan seva, that's their perversity.

But why do you celebrate that day with laapsi?

If we don't stop what's been happening for hundreds of years, it will continue.

Only the names of the dharm gurus will change.

The stories will repeat.

Religious beliefs are intensely private, personal, and sacred.

They are not bound by any place nor any form.

Dharma is followed from one's heart, not in public places.

God walks with us all the time.

We don't need any sort of bridge to reach or meet Him.

No JJ, no seva, no practice will get you a direct ticket to heaven.

It is always only your karma that will get you there.

My lord, no matter what the verdict of this case is but it has taught me this…

Speak the truth only if you have proof.

Doesn't matter if a wound hurts.

It must leave a scar to be noticed.

And even from behind bars

I'll continue to ask questions,

hold people accountable.

The battlefield may change but my war won't.

You're free to stand by me, or I'll do this alone.

I will stand by you.

I am ready to testify against JJ.

So will I.

And I.

And I.

And I.

Over the next 7 days, around 32 people came forward and testified.

Women spoke up fearlessly for themselves.

Men spoke for their wives, sisters, and daughters.

The Maharaj faced defamation not because of Karsan Das,

but because of his own misdeeds.

The court of Sir Mathew Richard Sausse

gave this landmark verdict on 22nd April 1862

and acquitted Karsan Das of the charge of defamation

…defendant not guilty.

While delivering the verdict, Sir Sausse advised

that criminal charges be brought against Yadunath Maharaj.

Move aside.

The Maharaj Libel Case led to the end of practices like charan seva,

setting an example for people that even JJ was not above the law.

The society that we live in today

is the gift of great reformers like Karsan Das Mulji,

who taught people that no intermediary is needed to have a connection with God.

Dharma does not make one a god

but is a means to becoming a good human being.

A sect is far more important than any individual or incident.

Treating this incident as an exception,

the Vaishnao sect continued on the path of religion.

The Vaishnao sect and its followers continue to grow and remain

a proud and integral part of the social, cultural,

and religious fabric of India.