Mysuru: The Karnataka government’s decision to invite Booker Prize–winning author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the 2025 Mysuru Dasara has sparked controversy, leading the Udupi district police to file two separate FIRs on Saturday over Islamophobic and provocative social media posts, reported the Maktoob Media.
The first FIR was lodged after Santosh Kulal of Kollur police station’s social media monitoring cell flagged a Facebook post by Jagadish Udupa on Friday evening. Udupa criticised the government’s choice, calling it “an insult to the great Hindu religion just to please one community,” and warned of potential consequences. Police described the post as inflammatory and a threat to communal harmony.
Around the same time, Sub-Inspector Sundar of Karkala Rural police station identified another objectionable Facebook post on the page ‘Sudeep Shetty Nitte’. The post argued that “Dasara is a Hindu cultural festival celebrated as per Hindu traditions” and questioned why someone “who does not accept Sanatana Hindu culture” should inaugurate it. The post also accused the “anti-Hindu Congress” of hurting Hindu sentiments.
Both posts were booked under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to spreading content capable of inciting enmity between communities.
Banu Mushtaq, who won the International Booker Prize in May 2025 for her Kannada short story collection Heart Lamp (translated by Deepa Bhasth), is the first Kannada writer and the first short story collection author to receive the award. The anthology of 12 stories, written between 1990 and 2023, has been widely praised for its depth and social commentary.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, announcing her selection for the Dasara inauguration, lauded Mushtaq’s contributions. “She has a long history of struggle, working with the Raita Sangha and Kannada Chaluvali, and is known as a progressive thinker. Such a woman is most deserving to inaugurate Dasara,” he said.
However, expelled BJP leader and MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal objected to her participation in the religious ceremonies of Dasara, citing a potential conflict with her Islamic faith. “Her inaugurating Dasara by offering flowers and lighting the lamp to Goddess Chamundeshwari seems to be in conflict with her own religious beliefs,” he said, adding that Mushtaq should clarify her stance on her faith before participating.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya also called for clarity, insisting that Mushtaq declare her position regarding Goddess Chamundeshwari before being allowed to inaugurate the festival.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions around religion, culture, and freedom of expression in India, particularly in the context of public events with religious significance.
