Karnataka high court Dismisses Petitions Against Banu Mushtaq Inaugurating mysore Dussehra
The karnataka high court dismissed petitions filed by the bjp and other opposition parties seeking to stop Banu Mushtaq, international Booker Prize-winning author, from inaugurating the mysore Dussehra festival.
A division bench consisting of Chief Justice Vibhu Bhakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi heard four petitions, including one by former mysore bjp mp Pratap Simha. The court found no reason to interfere with the state government’s decision.
The mysore district administration officially invited Banu Mushtaq on september 3 to inaugurate this year's festival.
Opposition parties, mainly the bjp, opposed the invitation citing that Banu Mushtaq’s presence goes against traditions and religious sentiments tied to mysore Dussehra.
The controversy escalated after an old video of Mushtaq went viral, where she objected to the worship of Bhuvaneshwari, the goddess associated with the kannada language. Critics labeled her remarks as anti-Hindu culture.
BJP leaders argued that mysore Dussehra traditionally begins with Vedic chanting and worship of Chamundeshwari Devi, and therefore, choosing Mushtaq for the inauguration was inappropriate. They demanded she clarify her reverence for the goddess.
In response, Banu Mushtaq stated that her old statement was distorted and taken out of context through selective viral clips on social media.
The mysore Dussehra festival will run from 22 september to 2 october (Vijayadashami).
The inauguration day will continue the traditional practice of offering flowers to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari at the Chamundi Hills temple, maintaining the cultural heritage of the festival.
This court ruling is seen as a setback to the opposition, affirming the government’s decision to include Banu Mushtaq in the cultural event.
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