Supreme Court to Hear Urgent Plea Against Banu Mushtaq’s Role in Mysuru Dussehra Inauguration
The Supreme Court has stepped in quickly on a hotly debated issue surrounding Karnataka’s famous Dussehra festival. On Thursday, the court agreed to hear a urgent petition on September 19 that seeks to stop the Congress-led Karnataka government from letting Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq inaugurate the historic event in Mysuru. This comes amid strong opposition from Hindu groups and the BJP, who argue it goes against long-standing traditions.
At the heart of the controversy is the tradition of paying floral tributes to Goddess Chamundeshwari during the Dussehra kickoff. Critics say inviting Mushtaq, a non-Hindu, breaks this sacred custom. The plea reached Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, who okayed listing the special leave petition (SLP) for Friday. This SLP challenges the Karnataka High Court’s recent dismissal of three related petitions filed by former BJP MP Pratap Simha and two others.
Back on September 15, a bench led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi at the Karnataka High Court ruled that no one’s rights were violated. They pointed out that Vijaya Dashami, or Dussehra, celebrates the triumph of good over evil and draws people from all walks of life across India. But the petitioners aren’t backing down. They call the government’s choice "wrong" and accuse Mushtaq of making anti-Hindu remarks, including objectionable comments about Goddess Bhuvaneshwari and the Kannada flag’s yellow (haldi) and red (sindoor) colors. They also claim she spoke against the Kannada language.
The backlash has fired up the BJP and various Hindu organizations, who see the Mysuru Dussehra inauguration as a key part of Hindu heritage. One public interest litigation (PIL) from Bengaluru resident H.S. Gourav even demands that only Hindu dignitaries handle such rituals, declaring it an essential tradition.
Despite the uproar, the Karnataka government stands firm. They insist on going ahead with Mushtaq for the inauguration, describing Dussehra as "Nada Habba" – the festival of the state – rather than a purely religious affair. Tensions rose further when Deputy Chief Minister and Congress President D.K. Shivakumar said Chamundi Hills isn’t just for Hindus, sparking even more debate.
As the Supreme Court takes up the case tomorrow, all eyes are on whether this will change the plans for one of India’s biggest cultural celebrations. The Mysuru Dussehra, known worldwide for its grandeur, always draws huge crowds, and this twist has everyone talking about tradition versus inclusivity in Karnataka politics.
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