Supreme Court to Hear Plea Against Banu Mushtaq Inaugurating Mysuru Dasara Festival
The Supreme Court of India is set to dive into a heated controversy today. A two-judge bench will review a petition urging a stay on the Karnataka government’s choice to have International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq kick off the iconic Mysuru Dasara festival. This famous event, also known as Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra, draws crowds from across the country every year.
According to the court’s schedule, Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta will hear the case on Friday. The plea comes as a Special Leave Petition (SLP) after Chief Justice B.R. Gavai agreed to fast-track it following an urgent mention on Thursday.
At the heart of the matter is the Karnataka High Court’s recent rejection of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) challenging the government’s decision. The PILs argued against inviting Banu Mushtaq, a celebrated author, to inaugurate the festival. Critics, mainly from the Opposition BJP, point to a long-standing tradition of offering floral tributes to Goddess Chamundeshwari at the event’s start. They claim the role should go to someone from the Hindu faith, as Dussehra symbolizes the triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology.
On September 15, a Karnataka High Court bench led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi dismissed the PILs. They ruled that no one’s rights were violated and emphasized that Vijaya Dashami is a nationwide celebration, not limited to religious boundaries.
The controversy gained steam when petitioners accused Banu Mushtaq of making anti-Hindu statements and criticizing the Kannada language. One key PIL, filed by Bengaluru resident H.S. Gourav, insisted that inaugurating Dussehra is a core Hindu tradition and should only involve Hindu dignitaries.
But the Karnataka government pushes back, calling Mysuru Dasara a cultural festival of the region rather than a purely religious affair. They argue it’s open to all, celebrating Karnataka’s heritage and unity.
As the Supreme Court steps in, this clash highlights tensions around tradition, faith, and inclusivity in one of India’s most vibrant festivals. Stay tuned for updates on how the bench rules—could it reshape how we view events like Mysuru Dasara?
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