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The Karnataka High Court has declined an urgent hearing on four public interest litigations (PILs) challenging the state government’s decision to invite Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq as chief guest for the upcoming Mysuru Dasara festival. The court stated that the matter will be listed within four days, with hearings expected next week.
The petitions, including one filed by former BJP MP Prathap Simha and three by private citizens, argue that the government’s move to invite Mushtaq “hurts Hindu religious sentiments.” They insist that the inauguration of the centuries-old festival should strictly follow tradition, with devotion to Goddess Chamundeshwari at its core.
Prathap Simha clarified that his objection was not based on Mushtaq’s religion but on questions of tradition and faith. “We respect Banu Mushtaq’s achievements in literature. But has she ever expressed devotion to Goddess Chamundeshwari? If not, why was she chosen to inaugurate Dasara?” he asked.
The Mysuru Dasara festivities, one of Karnataka’s grandest cultural celebrations, are scheduled to begin later this month. The state government has yet to respond to the court challenge over Mushtaq’s selection as chief guest.