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The Karnataka government’s decision to invite Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara set off a political row as the BJP questioned her “dedication to Goddess Chamundeshwari”.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah felicitates International Booker Prize 2025 winner Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi during a ceremony organised by the state government at Vidhana Soudha in June 2025. (Image: PTI File)
There is nothing wrong in Banu Mushtaq inaugurating the Mysuru Dasara as she has been invited as the person who has brought greater acclaim to Kannada literature and as the person who won the Booker Prize, said a highly placed source from the Karnataka Chief Minister’s office.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that Mushtaq would inaugurate the Nada Habba (state festival) at the Chamundi Hill temple in Mysuru. Calling her a “progressive thinker” and celebrating her literary and social contributions, the CM deemed her a fitting choice to inaugurate the state’s most celebrated cultural festival.
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“There is no need to create unnecessary controversy. Didn’t the acclaimed poet Prof KS Nissar Ahmad inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara in 2017? Banu Mushtaq is taking part in the inauguration of the Mysuru Dasara, which is a state government event,” said the official.
The official added that the Karnataka government is honouring those who have made the land, its people, and its culture proud. “There ends the issue,” said the senior officer on condition of anonymity when asked what the government’s stand was on the opposition raised by the BJP.
Who Is Banu Mushtaq?
Banu Mushtaq in May 2025 became the first Kannada author to win the International Booker Prize for her short story collection Edeya Hanate (Heart Lamp), translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi. The acclaim was seen as catapulting Kannada’s rich culture and writing onto the global stage.
“I do not want to comment about this right now. I will make a public statement when the time is right. I have many media persons asking me about this. I don’t want to make a statement right now. I have been invited, yes, and I have accepted the honour,” Banu Mushtaq told News18.
An acclaimed Kannada writer and activist, she has fought for the rights of farmers and has been a member of several farmers’ and Kannada language movements. Her works, including Heart Lamp, highlight rural life, women’s struggles, and questions of identity.
Invite Sparks Political Row
The Karnataka government’s decision to invite Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year’s Mysuru Dasara festival set off a political row as the Opposition BJP questioned her “dedication to Goddess Chamundeshwari” and whether she will pledge her allegiance to the goddess like the millions of followers of this famous deity.
While one section of the BJP is objecting to Banu Mushtaq, a Muslim, inaugurating the Mysuru Dasara, the Congress government in Karnataka said there is nothing wrong in it.
“We do not question the credentials of Banu Mushtaq. Mysuru Dasara is a Nada Habba or a festival of the land, which involves the religious sentiments of hundreds of devotees. There is sanctity in the way she is offered prayers and revered. We question whether Banu Mushtaq, as the authority has to reply, has placed her trust and devotion in Goddess Chamundeshwari like many others,” CT Ravi told News18.
Other BJP leaders are also questioning her suitability for the role of offering pooja as part of the Mysuru Dasara inauguration, where the goddess is carried on a 750 kg golden palanquin (golden howdah) and the chief guest offers flowers to the goddess to kickstart the centuries-old Mysuru Dasara celebrations.
Speaking to reporters, former MP from Mysore-Kodagu Lok Sabha Constituency, which is now represented by Yaduveer Wadiyar, the royal scion of the wadiyar dynasty, said that while the people acknowledge Banu Mushtaq’s literary contributions, choosing her to to inaugurate Dasara was “worn decision and a misplaced one.”
“This is a celebration of faith. If the inauguration itself represents worship of Chamundeshwari, in what sense is Banu Mushtaq the right person to lead it?” Said Simha to reporters.
“The festival of Dasara is not about secular symbolism — it is a religious festival dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari. This tradition, begun by the Wadiyars, starts with rituals to the goddess,” he pointed out marking his protest.
Challenging the government’s move, he added, “Islam preaches that there is no god but Allah. Can Banu, as a Muslim, truly acknowledge Chamundeshwari as divine?”, he questioned.
Not The First Such Instance
Banu is not the first Muslim to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara. The Karnataka government had in 2017 invited Prof KS Nissar Ahmad to inaugurate the 408th edition of the world-famous Dasara, and he was escorted by then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and District Minister HC Mahadevappa.
It is also interesting to note how Dr Ahmad had spoken when he was invited to inaugurate the world-famous Dasara celebrations.
Nissar Ahmad began his address by reciting four lines from the acclaimed DR Bendre’s work and called the moment “the greatest of my life.”
He admitted he was initially hesitant to accept the invitation. “I was shocked and even afraid when I was asked to inaugurate Dasara. I wondered if I had the moral right to do so,” he said. “But I chose to accept it because Dasara draws people from all religions and from across the world, while events like Haj or the Kumbh Mela are confined to specific faiths.”
Ahmad said he believed the festival, with the blessings of Goddess Durga, would always stand for the victory of good over evil and was one of the major reasons that drew him to be part of it.
Prof Ahmad, who passed away in 2020, had in fact written one of the most popular songs that is sung at every government event till today — Nityotsava. The poem, later made into a song, is an ode to “Mother Karnataka” and was popularised by Mysore Ananthaswamy in Revathi raga. He had written it in 1968 for Akashvani (All India Radio), which earned him the title Nityotsava Kavi. For that event, Nissar Ahmad also wrote a new verse stressing the need to strengthen social harmony and celebrate festivals transcending caste, creed, and religion.
The Mysuru Dasara
The Mysuru Dasara, a 10-day festival, attracts nearly ten million people from across the globe to Karnataka’s heritage capital, Mysuru. Popularly known as the Nada Habba or the state festival, it is held in honour of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the city’s presiding deity. The tradition is rooted in the legend of her defeating the demon Mahishasura, symbolising the eternal triumph of good over evil.
The festivities commence with special rituals at the Chamundi Hill temple and then the government function in front of the majestic and iconic Mysuru Palace of the royal family of the Wodeyars.
The celebrations span ten days of cultural programmes, folk performances, literary events, and exhibitions. On the grand finale, which arrives on Vijayadashami, one witnesses the majestic procession featuring decked-up elephants and colourful tableaux leading the Jumbo Savari and then the iconic torchlight parade at the beautiful Banni Mantap.
About the Author
Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously worked with t…Read More
Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously worked with t… Read More
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