Pratap Simha mentioned in the petition that the royal family of Mysuru has also opposed the Karnataka government’s move in this regard.
Published Sep 07, 2025 | 9:29 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 07, 2025 | 9:29 AM
Karnataka High Court building.
Synopsis: Mysore MP Pratap Simha filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court, challenging the Karnataka government’s decision to invite Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festivities. The plea stated that the action of the Karnataka government was arbitrary and lacked transparency.
BJP leader and Mysore MP Pratap Simha filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court, challenging the Karnataka government’s decision to invite International Booker prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festivities.
The plea sought a direction to the state government to withdraw the invitation, arguing that Mushtaq had been, in the past, associated with controversial and allegedly divisive remarks, including anti-Hindu and anti-Kannada statements.
The plea is likely to be mentioned for an early hearing on Monday, 8 September.
The plea argued that in light of these remarks, “her nomination as the face of a sacred, widely celebrated Hindu festival is not only inappropriate but also provocative, with the potential to disturb public harmony,” according to a report by LiveLaw.
Simha further mentioned in the petition that the royal family of Mysuru has also opposed the Karnataka government’s move in this regard.
The plea claimed that the Dasara Festival commemorates the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari over the demon Mahishasura and marks the culmination of the Navaratri celebrations.
Simha argued that it was a deeply religious and cultural tradition that has been intrinsically associated with the heritage and patronage of the Mysuru Royal Family.
The plea stated that the action of the Karnataka government was arbitrary, lacked transparency, and was violative of the principles of fairness, equality, and secular respect that are fundamental to the Indian Constitution.
In a social media post on 22 August, Siddaramaiah had announced that Mushtaq would be inaugurating this year’s Mysuru Dasara.
“Associated with the farmers’ movement and the Kannada movement, Banu Mushtaq is also a progressive thinker. By having her inaugurate Dasara, the government is honouring her achievements,” the chief minister had said.
However, right-wing associated people, including BJP leaders, opposed the move, claiming that Dasara is a Hindu religious festival and not a government programme. Their primary point of contention is that Mushtaq belongs to a different faith from Hinduism.
“Banu Mushtaq is from another faith. Does she believe in Goddess Chamundeshwari? How will she be the right person to inaugurate it?” Simha had asked earlier.
The Udupi district police had also booked two persons in separate cases for their social media posts against the government’s decision to invite Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Anisha Reddy.)
