The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea challenging the Karnataka government’s decision to invite International Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the 2025 Mysuru Dasara festivities. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta upheld the Karnataka High Court’s earlier order that had rejected similar petitions, including one filed by former BJP MP Pratap Simha.
Petitioners argued that non-Hindus cannot perform rituals inside the Chamundeshwari Temple, claiming the inauguration involved religious practices protected under Article 25 of the Constitution. They alleged that the state’s move was “purely political” and in violation of Agamic traditions.
However, the bench was unconvinced, stressing that Mysuru Dasara is a state-organised public event. “It is not a private programme. The state is organising it,” Justice Nath observed, repeatedly dismissing the counsel’s arguments.
Who is Banu Mushtaq?
Banu Mushtaq, born 3 April 1948 is a renowned Kannada writer, activist, and lawyer from Karnataka. She is the first Muslim woman dignitary to be invited to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara. Mushtaq’s acclaimed short story collection Heart Lamp, translated by Deepa Bhasthi, won the International Booker Prize in 2025.
Over her literary career, she has authored six short story collections, a novel, essays, and poetry, with her works translated into multiple Indian languages and English. Despite facing criticism from some groups for her views, she remains one of the most celebrated contemporary voices in Kannada literature.
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Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience covering Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes that every voice matters, and journalism has a vital role to play in amplifying those voices. Sofia is committed to creating impact and shedding light on stories that truly matter. Beyond her work in the newsroom, she is also a music enthusiast who enjoys singing.
