International Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq inaugurated the 415th Mysuru Dasara celebrations atop Chamundi Hill, delivering a profound message of peace, compassion, love, and justice. Dressed in a yellow Mysore Silk saree, her hair adorned with Mysuru jasmine, Mushtaq performed the ceremonial lamp lighting and showered flowers on the Utsava Murthy of Sri Chamundeshwari placed in a silver chariot, formally commencing the state festival.
According to a report of Deccan Herald, addressing the gathering in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other dignitaries, Mushtaq recited her celebrated poem Bagina, published a decade ago, and spoke of Dasara’s enduring message: “We can win in life not with arms but with ‘akshara’—literature and knowledge—and prosper with love. Culture should be a bridge between people, developing love and harmony among them. Our heritage tells us that ours is a ‘Garden of peace for all communities’ (Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota).” She highlighted the inclusive and pluralistic nature of Mysuru’s cultural traditions, recalling how Urdu-speaking communities have their own terminology for the ten days of Navaratri, and narrating her uncle, sepoy Mohammad Ghouse’s role in the bodyguard regiment of Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, reflecting mutual trust and integration across communities.
Furthermore, according to the DH report, Mushtaq also clarified her personal relationship with Hindu culture: “My religious beliefs have not crossed my house, but my understanding of Hindu culture and my connection with it is evident in my book ‘Booker Banu Baduku Baraha’, soon to be released by the Kannada Book Authority. Let us enrich our lives by respecting democracy and each other’s beliefs and cultures. Democracy is not just a system but a value—it respects the voice of all. Sri Chamundeshwari is a symbol of courage, bravery, compassion, and protection; may her blessings eradicate hatred and intolerance.”
Banu Mushtaq is a distinguished Indian writer, lawyer, and activist from Karnataka, renowned for her contributions to Kannada literature. Born in 1948 in Hassan, Karnataka, she began her literary journey in the 1970s and 1980s, emerging from the Bandaya Sahitya movement—a progressive literary circle that challenged caste and class hierarchies. Mushtaq’s works often delve into the lives of marginalised communities, particularly Muslim and Dalit women, highlighting themes of gender inequality, faith, and societal pressures. Her storytelling is characterised by emotional depth and subtle humour, reflecting her experiences as a journalist and lawyer advocating for women’s rights and social justice. In 2025, Mushtaq made history by becoming the first Kannada author to win the International Booker Prize for her short story collection, Heart Lamp, translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi. This achievement marks a significant milestone for regional Indian literature on the global stage.
Politicisation of the event
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Mushtaq’s invitation was immediately politicised. Sections of political leaders, notably from the BJP, and social commentators raised objections, citing several reasons:
- Faith-based objections: there were arguments that a non-Hindu person should not perform rituals in a Hindu temple, including lighting lamps, offering flowers, and chanting Vedic hymns.
- Alleged past remarks: Mushtaq had earlier commented on ‘Kannada Bhuvaneshwari’ and the red-and-yellow Kannada flag, comparing them to turmeric and vermilion, which some interpreted as critical or exclusionary.
- Selection concerns: Questions were raised about why Deepa Bhasthi, who also won the Booker Prize, was not invited alongside Mushtaq.
Social media amplified these controversies, selectively circulating clips of Mushtaq’s prior interviews and speeches, often out of context. The issue was transformed into a polarising political debate, diverting attention from the literary and cultural significance of the festival to communal identity and religious purity.
Government’s firm and inclusive stance
The Karnataka government, however, maintained a principled position. Officials emphasised that the Dasara Mahotsav, while celebrated in a temple, is fundamentally a state-sponsored cultural event, not a religious function. The invitation of Mushtaq, an accomplished author, lawyer, and social activist, was part of a long-standing tradition where distinguished individuals from various fields—scientists, freedom fighters, educationists, and writers—are invited, irrespective of their religion.
The state clarified:
- The event was organised by the State, not by a temple authority, so secular values governed its conduct.
- A committee of elected representatives and officials vetted the invitation, ensuring alignment with constitutional and democratic principles.
- Historical precedent existed: Mysuru Dasara had always included diverse participation to showcase Karnataka’s rich, pluralistic culture.
The government’s position exemplified the spirit of the Constitution and the Preamble, respecting diversity, inclusion, and freedom of expression.
Judicial Intervention: Upholding secularism
Petitions challenging Mushtaq’s participation were first dismissed by the Karnataka High Court on September 15. According to a report in LiveLaw, the High Court observed:
“Participation of a person practicing a particular faith or religion in celebrations of festivals of other religions does not offend the rights available under the Constitution of India. Invitation of Banu Mushtaq does not violate any constitutional values.”
The Court noted that state-organised festivities routinely invite distinguished personalities from across communities, and no religious rights of any denomination were curtailed.
When petitioners escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, the bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta dismissed the plea outright. On September 19, responding to repeated attempts to contest Mushtaq’s participation, Justice Nath remarked:
“We have said ‘dismissed’ three times. How many more times do we have to say?”
The Supreme Court emphasised the secular nature of state programs, as reported by The Leaflet, noting:
“Our Preamble says we are secular. This is a state program. How can the State distinguish on the grounds of religion?”
The Court rejected arguments that temple rituals performed during the inauguration were exclusively religious, affirming that the state’s involvement and cultural framework render them secular.
Public reception and cultural significance
Despite the political noise, the festival went ahead smoothly. Tight security was deployed across Mysuru city and Chamundi Hill, including frisking, metal detectors, and restricted vehicle access, ensuring the safety of participants. As reported by DH, thousands of visitors attended, embracing the festival as a celebration of Karnataka’s heritage.
Dasara festivities included:
- The Jamboo Savaari, a grand procession of caparisoned elephants carrying the idol of Sri Chamundeshwari in a golden Howdah on Vijayadashami.
- Air shows, torchlight parades, and the Mysuru Dasara exhibition.
- Food melas, flower shows, poetry recitals, Women’s Dasara, Yuva Dasara, and Children’s Dasara.
- Traditional household celebrations, including Gombe Habba, Saraswati Pooja, Ayudha Pooja, and Durga Pooja.
The royal family continued its ceremonial traditions with Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar conducting the Khasagi Durbar, ascending the golden throne amid Vedic hymns.
Historical context and continuity
The Mysuru Dasara tradition, originating with the Vijayanagar rulers and inherited by the Wadiyars, began in Mysuru in 1610. After the abolition of privy purses in 1971, the celebrations became low-key until revived by then Chief Minister D Devaraja Urs in 1975. Since then, the state government has ensured that Dasara serves as both a cultural festival and a symbol of Karnataka’s pluralism.
Politicisation vs. Constitutional values
The controversy surrounding Mushtaq’s invitation illustrates how cultural and literary events can be weaponised for political gains, exploiting religious identity to stoke divisiveness. Selective interpretations of her statements, combined with partisan narratives, attempted to reduce a universal message of harmony to a sectarian debate.
Yet, the Karnataka government, judiciary, and the people of Mysuru demonstrated the essence of the Preamble and secularism in practice:
- Government: Upheld inclusive cultural values, refused to bow to political pressure, and treated Dasara as a secular state celebration.
- Judiciary: Firmly reinforced constitutional principles, distinguishing between state-sponsored cultural ceremonies and purely religious acts.
- Public: Participated enthusiastically, prioritising shared heritage over divisive politics.
Through this event, Mysuru Dasara reaffirmed that culture, literature, and civic life are bridges of unity, and that secularism is not merely a constitutional abstraction, but a lived practice, capable of transcending politics, communal bias, and social polarisation.
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