Mahisha Dasara has been mired in controversy ever since the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti decided to celebrate Mahisha, who they believe, was not a demon, but a king who spread Buddhism.
The members of various Dalit organisations and Mahisha Dasara Samiti celebrated Mahisha Dasara peacefully at Town Hall in Mysuru on Friday. (Supplied)
Several Dalit organisations and the Mahisha Dasara Samiti celebrated Mahisha Dasara in the heritage city of Mysuru amidst tight police security and opposition from the BJP.
The celebration was peaceful, with the city police having promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC from 12 October midnight to early 14 October morning.
The police were out on full force, and the members of the public — barring the residents — were prohibited from visiting the Chamundi Hills, considered to be the abode of Chamundeshwari or, the fierce form of Shakti,
The Mahisha Dasara Samiti passed a resolution stating that Mahisha Dasara would be celebrated on 14 October from next year onwards.
BJP MP Pratap Simha criticised the organisers and alleged that the celebration of Mahisha Dasara was an effort to “divide Hindus” and “insult Goddess Chamundi”.
It may also be noted that the previous BJP government had restricted the Mahisha Dasara celebration.
Mahisha Dasara has been mired in controversy ever since the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti decided to celebrate Mahisha, who they believe, was not a demon, but a king who spread Buddhism in the region.
Dalit organisations took out a procession — despite a ban on bike rallies — displaying the posters of Mahisha to the Town Hall, through key locations such as Ashoka Circle, Ramaswamy Circle, New Sayyaji Rao Road, KR Circle, and Tenth Chamarajendra Wadiyar Circle.
During the Mahisha Utsava, participants proudly held blue flags and raised “Jai Bhim” slogans. They paid homage to Dr BR Ambedkar by offering floral garlands at his statue before proceeding to the main stage function at Town Hall.
Several historians, writers, progressive thinkers, social activists, and Dalit leaders, including Professor KS Bhagwan and BR Bhaskar Prasad, participated in the celebration.
Addressing the gathering at Town Hall, Prof Bhagwan came down heavily on Brahmins, their traditions, and practices.
“Why is Agni (fire) puja performed? Buddha had said that there is no benefit in it. Because of this, the kings stopped worshipping fire,” he said.
“Hence, Brahmins get angry when they see Buddhists even now. When they perform a homa, they put wood shavings of the peepal tree into the fire,” he stated.
“The Buddha attained enlightenment under a peepal tree. They use peepal wood shavings out of their anger towards the Buddha. Brahmin traditions are fake and there is no meaning to them,” Bhagwan argued.
“The Buddha imparted knowledge. Priests are giving ignorance to society. Caste is identified by a sacred thread. He who does not wear the sacred thread belongs to one caste, those who use it are one caste,” he said.
“The Hindu region has named a caste each for hands and legs,” he said, apparently referring to caste stratification based on the Chaturvarnya system, “Hinduism is not our religion. Our religion is Buddhism. Brahmins and Vedas came from other countries,” he added.
Continuing his tirade against Brahmins, Bhagawan said they did not teach Sanskrit to others for over 2,000 years. “Shudras are the slaves of Brahmins. They have said that Shudra was created by God to serve Brahmins.”
Alleging that the followers of Manuvada — the ethos of society based on Manusmriti — have created a false narrative about Mahisha, Mysuru’s Urilingapeddi Mutt Seer Jnanaprakash Swami said: “Manuvadis have portrayed Mahishasura as a demon”.
“Experts have established the existence of Mahisha. Those who follow Manuvada have created a false narrative about Mahisha,” Jnanaprakash Swami told South First.
“They have portrayed Mahisha as a demon. In reality, asura stands for the protector of nature. Several historians and experts have admitted this. Mahishasura is a representation of Adivasis. Hence, we are organising Mahisha Dasara. Even the name Mysuru has come from Mahishasura,” the seer added.
“We have every right to celebrate Mahisha Dasara. As per Article 25 — freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion — we can celebrate Mahisha Dasara,” he further stated.
“The district administration, including the police, should act as per the Constitution. After BJP leaders issued threats against celebrating Mahisha Dasara, the district administration imposed section 144 of the CrPC,” the seer said.
“The BJP indulged in provoking people and causing animosity between religions. It is planning to make Mysuru a second Shivamogga (referring to recent communal tensions). The BJP was prepared to defeat this celebration by bringing several men from Maharashtra and other districts of Karnataka,” he alleged.
“We alerted the police and they took them into custody. We will continue to celebrate Mahisha Dasara not only in Mysuru but also in other districts, including Udupi, in the coming days,” the seer added.
The Dalit organisations and Mahisha Dasara Samiti adopted three resolutions during the celebration: Celebration of Mahisha Dasara every year on 14 October, appeal to the government to set up a Buddha Development Board, and a Mahisha Mandala Study Centre.
Going live on Facebook, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha stated that people who celebrate Mahisha Dasara were insulting Chamundeshwari.
Simha has been opposed to Mahisha Dasara. He gave out a “Chamundi Chalo” call after various Dalit organisations and Mahisha Dasara Samiti geared up to celebrate Mahisha Dasara atop the Chamundi.
However, the police prohibited all from visiting the hill and imposed section 144 of the CrPC at Chamundi Hills on Friday.
“I strongly oppose Mahisha Dasara because they disrespect Chamundeshwari. Everyone should oppose Mahisha Dasara, if not, they would have no moral right to object when Goddess Chamundi is insulted in the future,” he said.
“Everyone should oppose Mahisha Dasara to protect the cultural heritage associated with Hinduism. In every house in Mysuru’s Ashokapuram, people have put photos of Goddess Chamundeshwari. The Dalit community celebrates Chamundi Habba more enthusiastically,” the MP added.
Simha questioned Mahisha’s Dalit identity. “Goddess Chamundi was mentioned in the Krutha era. The Buddha was in Kaliyuga. Ashok was in the 3rd century. There is no connection. These are all fictional and imaginary,” he dismissed the claims.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson M Lakshmana criticised Simha, branding him “anti-Dalit and anti-OBC”.
“Mahisha Dasara holds cultural significance for Dalits and other backward classes. MP Simha is misleading the public because of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections,” he told reporters in Mysuru.
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