Supreme Court Rejects Plea Against Banu Mushtaq Inaugurating Mysuru Dussehra
In a quick decision, the Supreme Court of India on Friday turned down a plea to stop the Karnataka government from inviting Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to kick off the famous Dussehra festival in Mysuru. This historic event draws crowds from around the world, and the ruling has sparked fresh debates on tradition versus inclusivity.
A bench led by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta didn’t buy the argument that only Hindus should perform the opening rituals, like floral tributes to Goddess Chamundeshwari. The petitioners pointed out that Mushtaq had made past remarks they called hurtful to Hindu sentiments, but the court wasn’t convinced.
The case reached the top court after the Karnataka High Court dismissed similar public interest litigations (PILs) last week. On September 15, a High Court bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi ruled that no one’s rights were harmed. They stressed that Dussehra, also known as Vijaya Dashami, celebrates the triumph of good over evil and isn’t limited to any one group—it’s a nationwide festival enjoyed by all.
Petitioners, including Bengaluru resident H.S. Gourav, slammed the Congress-led Karnataka government’s choice as "wrong." They accused Mushtaq of anti-Hindu statements, like comments against Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, and objections to the Kannada flag’s yellow and red colors, which symbolize haldi and sindoor. One PIL even argued that inaugurating Dussehra is a core Hindu tradition that should only involve Hindu dignitaries.
But the Karnataka government stands firm. They call Dussehra a "Nada Habba" or festival of the land, not just a religious affair open only to Hindus. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who’s also the state Congress chief, stirred more controversy by saying Chamundi Hills belongs to everyone, not just one community.
The petition got an urgent hearing slot on Thursday when Chief Justice B.R. Gavai agreed to list it. With the festival approaching, this Supreme Court verdict clears the way for Mushtaq’s role, highlighting ongoing tensions around cultural events and religious traditions in India.
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