The high court said that it was not persuaded to accept that inviting a person of a different faith to inaugurate the function violates legal or constitutional rights of the petitioners.
Published Sep 15, 2025 | 12:31 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 15, 2025 | 12:42 PM
Karnataka High Court building.
Synopsis: The Karnataka High Court dismissed the petitions questioning the decision of the state government to invite International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq as the chief guest for the inauguration of the upcoming Mysuru Dasara festivities. The high court said that it was not persuaded to accept that inviting a person of a different faith to inaugurate the function violates legal or constitutional rights.
The Karnataka High Court on Monday, 15 September, dismissed the petitions questioning the decision of the state government to invite International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq as the chief guest for the inauguration of the upcoming Mysuru Dasara festivities.
The high court said that it was not persuaded to accept that inviting a person of a different faith to inaugurate the function violates legal or constitutional rights of the petitioners.
A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi heard three petitions regarding the issue, including one filed by BJP leader and former Mysore MP Prathap Sinha.
During the hearing, advocate S Sudharshan, appearing for one of the petitioners, alleged that some comments made by the author in 2023 were against the Kannada language.
The court questioned Sudarshan, asking whether the people of this country cannot voice their opinion.
When the lawyer said that Dasara is a predominantly Hindu celebration, the court replied that it could not act unless he demonstrated a constitutional or legal right violation.
“Article 26, if you read, is right for religious belief…example, poojari rights. You are not holding any property, and no property is being taken away from you. No religious seat is upset. So how is Article 26…attracted?”
Sudharsan insisted that only a Person having Hindu faith can be invited to the inauguration. “Per se public opinion is how could a person of other faith be invited?” he submitted. The court remarked, “This is a decision by public representatives, and it will be addressed”.
Sudharsan said that prominence is given to image and idol worship in Hindu Culture, and the “person who is appointed has no faith with vermilion and turmeric”. However, the court responded: “This is a secular state.”
Another counsel raised a question whether a non-Hindu could inaugurate a Hindu festival. “The worship of the Hindu Goddess is inseparable. Inviting a non-Hindu to perform a pooja to a Hindu deity,” the counsel questioned.
When the court remarked that no temple or trustee had approached it against the decision, the counsel said: “Performance of pooja by a non-Hindu would not be correct as per Agama Shashtra.”
“How can somebody who does not bestow faith in the Hindu deity come and perform pooja. The invite should give an undertaking that they will bestow faith in the deity and withdraw anti-Kannada remarks. The very worship of the Hindu deity is based on Agama Shashtra,” the counsel added.
Meanwhile, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, appearing for the state, said, “Former MP Pratap Simha had earlier shared the stage with a Muslim invitee. Banu Mushataque is a Booker Prize winner. People of all religions participate in this function. This is a festival of the state. The committee to invite the Chief Guest includes 62 people of high standing and includes MPs and MLAs of all parties. It is quite hurtful to say that she is anti-Hindu. Such statements cannot be made.”
“Ultimately, these kinds of feelings about/against Hindu-Muslim, such fears should be nipped in the bud,” he added.
When the court asked if the AG had a list of previous invitees, he said, “In 2017, Dr Nisar Ahmed was invited, and petitioner Simha had participated in the celebration then as MP. It is a state function and reducing it to a religious function cannot be allowed”.
Sudharsan argued that a person having faith in Goddess Chamundi should be invited. He said that Ahmed had written poems for God Krishna and had not made any anti-Kannada statements as made by this invitee.
The court remarked that “Vijaydashmi is a festival of victory of Good over evil and is celebrated across the length of the country” and dismissed the pleas.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
