Karnataka HC rejects pleas against govt invite to writer Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Monday dismissed the petitions challenging the state government’s decision to invite International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the ‘Mysuru Dasara’ festivities this year.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bhakru and Justice C M Joshi declined to entertain four public interest litigations (PIL), including the one filed by former BJP member of parliament from Mysuru Pratap Simha, stating that the petitioners had failed to demonstrate any constitutional or legal violation.

“We are not persuaded to accept that a person from a different faith inaugurating a function organised by the state would violate a legal or constitutional right of the petitioners or any values enshrined in the Constitution. The petitions stand dismissed,” the bench said.

The Mysuru district administration on September 3 had formally invited Mushtaq, despite objections from some sections, including opposition BJP.

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The controversy stems from allegations that Banu Mushtaq has made statements in the past that are perceived by some as “anti-Hindu” and “anti-Kannada”.

Simha and other critics argue that her selection for the festival, which traditionally begins with Vedic rituals and floral offerings to Goddess Chamundeshwari, disrespects religious sentiments and long-standing traditions associated with the event.

Advocate General K Shashikiran Shetty, representing the state government, emphasised that the Dasara inauguration is a state function.

He pointed out that the committee to select the person to be invited for inauguration, included representatives across political parties, as well as local MP and MLAs.

Shetty urged the court to dismiss the PILs, arguing that the challenge had no merit.

Dasara celebration will begin in Mysuru from September 22 and culminate on ‘Vijayadashami’, which falls on October 2.

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Dasara is traditionally inaugurated on the first day by showering flowers on the idol of goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru and its royals, amid chanting of Vedic hymns, at the premises of Chamundeshwari temple atop the Chamundi Hills in Mysuru.

Objections have been raised by BJP leaders and others to the state government’s decision to invite Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Dasara festivities, following an old video that went viral, in which she has reportedly expressed reservations about worshipping the Kannada language as “Goddess Bhuvaneshwari”, stating that it was exclusionary to people like her (minorities).

Several BJP leaders had asked Mushtaq to clarify her reverence towards Goddess Chamundeshwari before consenting to inaugurate the Dasara.

However, Mushtaq, on her part, has said that her statement has been distorted by making selective parts of her old speech go viral on social media.

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Mysuru Dasara secular festival: Karnataka CM defends invite to Banu Mushtaq

Accusing the BJP of politicising Mysuru Dasara, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had recently said, the festival is celebrated by people belonging to all communities as ‘Nada Habba’ (state festival), and writer Banu Mushtaq has been invited to inaugurate it, to honour her, for winning International Booker Prize.

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