Fresh Controversy Over Mysuru Dussehra Inauguration by Booker Prize Winner Banu Mushtaq
Bengaluru is buzzing with fresh drama surrounding the upcoming Dussehra festival in Mysuru. Three new Public Interest Litigations (PILs) have landed in the Karnataka High Court, all challenging the state government’s choice of Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq to kick off the historic celebrations. The court hasn’t heard these petitions yet, but the opposition is heating up fast.
One of the petitioners, Bengaluru resident H.S. Gourav, wants the court to step in and force the government to scrap Mushtaq’s invitation. He argues that inaugurating Dussehra is a key part of Hindu traditions and should only be done by Hindu dignitaries. Gourav stresses that the event must follow ‘Hindu Agamic’ practices to avoid hurting Hindu sentiments. "This isn’t just a festival—it’s our cultural heritage," he seems to say in his plea.
Joining the fray are two more voices from Bengaluru: industrialist T. Girish Kumar and R. Sowmya, the National Vice President of the Abhinava Bharat Party. Their PILs echo similar concerns about preserving the festival’s religious roots.
This isn’t the first pushback. Last week, former BJP MP Pratap Simha filed a petition urging the court to block Mushtaq from inaugurating the Mysuru Dussehra events. He points out that even the royal family of Mysuru has spoken out against the government’s decision. The state invited Mushtaq with full honors despite growing protests, which has only fueled the fire.
Hindu organizations aren’t staying silent either. They recently met Mushtaq and handed over a memorandum, begging her to turn down the invite. They warned that her involvement could deeply offend Hindu religious sentiments tied to the festival.
The BJP has amplified the row by sharing a video of Mushtaq speaking against linking the Kannada language to goddess Bhuvaneshwari or the Kannada flag’s yellow and red colors to turmeric and vermillion—symbols sacred in Hindu rituals. Party leaders claim this shows she doesn’t respect Hindu feelings and shouldn’t lead such a revered event.
On the flip side, the Karnataka government stands firm. They describe Dussehra as ‘Nada Habba,’ or the festival of the land, emphasizing its cultural vibe over strict religious ties. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed the BJP’s protests as pure politics, saying the opposition is just stirring trouble for votes.
As Mysuru gears up for its grand Dussehra festivities—famous for the stunning processions and the iconic Dasara elephant parade—these PILs could shake things up. Will the court intervene, or will Mushtaq go ahead with the inauguration? Stay tuned as this Karnataka Dussehra controversy unfolds.
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