Mysuru: The Karnataka High Court has dismissed petitions challenging the State Government’s decision to invite writer and activist Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festival this year. The court ruled that the invitation does not violate constitutional or legal rights and affirmed the government’s authority to make the decision.
The petitions were filed by former Member of Parliament Pratap Simha along with Girish Kumar T., Sowmya R., and H.S. Gaurav. They argued that Ms. Mushtaq’s alleged remarks at a 2023 literary event were “anti-Hindu and anti-Kannada” and claimed that her lack of faith in worshipping a Hindu goddess disqualified her from inaugurating a festival that begins with such rituals. They also objected that the government had not consulted the Mysuru royal family before issuing the invitation.
The division bench, led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi, rejected the arguments. The bench stated that inviting a person from a different faith to inaugurate the festival does not infringe upon anyone’s rights.
Defending the decision, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty reminded the court that Mr. Simha himself had previously shared the stage with poet Nissar Ahmed, who inaugurated Dasara in 2017. He also highlighted the government’s notification allowing people of all communities to enter temples, emphasizing that the state is carrying out its secular duty in organizing the event.
Banu Mushtaq, a noted writer whose translated collection of Kannada short stories won the International Booker Prize in 2025, will inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara on September 22.
