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Karnataka High Court dismissed pleas against inviting Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara. The court remarked that “this is a secular state” while rejecting petitions.
Karnataka HC Rejects Pleas Against Govt’s Invite To Banu Mushtaq To Inaugurate Dasara
The Karnataka High Court on Monday rejected the pleas challenging state government’s decision to invite International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year’s ‘Mysuru Dasara’. The court remarked that “this is a secular state” while rejecting petitions.
A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Joshi was hearing three petitions, including one by BJP leader Pratap Simha. The petitioners urged the court to order the state government to withdraw invitation to Banu Mushtaq.
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A report by Live Law cited court’s order and stated, “We are not persuaded to accept that permitting person of different faith to the function organised by the state violates any legal or constitutional right of petitioners or in any manner opposed to values enshrined in the Constitution of India. Accordingly, petitions are dismissed”.
Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq is a Booker-prize winning author. The state government invited her to inaugurate this year’s Dussehra celebrations in Mysuru. However, the decision led to criticism from BJP leader Pratap Simha, who questioned why a Muslim writer was chosen for a Hindu religious event.
The controversy erupted from allegations that Banu Mushtaq has made statements in the past that are perceived by some as “anti-Hindu culture”.
Simha and other critics suggested that her selection as a chief guest 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
Who Is Banu Mushtaq?
Born in 1948, Banu Mushtaq, was raised in Hassan, Karnataka. Her first short story was published when she was 27. Despite a glorious professional fame, her personal life was filled with challenges.
Her married life brought emotional struggles, including postpartum depression; at one point, she attempted self-immolation but was saved by her husband.
She reflected her struggles in her acclaimed short story collection Heart Lamp, for which she won the International Booker Prize in May.
(With Inputs From PTI)
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
Karnataka, India, India
September 15, 2025, 14:24 IST
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