The Karnataka government has invited International Booker Prize-winning Kannada author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year’s Mysuru Dasara celebrations, triggering a political controversy over faith and tradition.
Mushtaq, 77, will formally open the festivities on 22 September 2025, ahead of the grand Vijayadashami procession scheduled for 2 October 2025. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced her selection, describing it as a historic recognition of her literary achievements. Mushtaq’s acclaimed short story collection Heart Lamp, translated by Deepa Bhasthi, won the Booker Prize earlier this year for its portrayal of the lives of Muslim women in Karnataka.
The decision has drawn objections from some BJP leaders, who argued that the religious nature of the Dasara inauguration requires participants to publicly declare their belief in Goddess Chamundeshwari.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said that while he respected Mushtaq’s stature, the inauguration involves offering prayers at Chamundi Hills, and the faith of the chief guest should be made clear. He shared a 2023 video of Mushtaq where she is heard saying, “Sir, you spoke about the Kannada language, literature, and culture on that platform. As a minority woman, I am presenting my understanding of the Kannada language before you. Whether you like it or find it difficult, I don’t know. To grow Kannada as a language, for Banu Mushtaq to speak in Kannada, your family did not even give her the opportunity to speak in Kannada at home. You have made Kannada the ‘Kannada Bhuvaneshwari.’ Wearing red and yellow turmeric kumkum flags, why did you smear turmeric kumkum and take her away and seat her on a bench? Where should I stand? What should I see? How should I get involved? My exclusion didn’t start today; it began long ago. Today, it is coming to completion, that’s all. Please think about this because wherever a woman is worshipped as a goddess, when you seat a woman on a bench, the goddesses will be pleased. But here, you have seated Kannada Amma (Mother Kannada) in a temple and made her sit on a bench, how are you mistreating women, showing cruelty and violence? You are also abusing the Kannada language in this way. You are answerable to me; I am responding to a wall that should have answered me. My answer to you: make Kannada the Bhuvaneshwari, pull the chariot of Kannada, hold the festival of Kannada, organize the Kannada parishad (council), whatever you do, how many barriers do you need to exclude me at such a crucial time?”
The so-called Anti-Communal Task Force, the Hate Speech Bill, the Rohith Vemula Bill pushed at Rahul Gandhi’s insistence, the dubious Dharmasthala SIT, and now the Congress government’s decision to have Smt. Banu Mustaq – who has openly expressed her opposition to the worship of… pic.twitter.com/W8BqIWmfCa
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) August 25, 2025
Responding to the controversy, Mushtaq has declined to comment on the BJP leaders’ remarks but confirmed that she intends to attend the inauguration.
Siddaramaiah highlighted Mushtaq’s contributions beyond literature, noting her involvement with farmers’ organisations, Kannada agitations, and progressive movements. He called her selection a significant moment, particularly as a woman invited to inaugurate the centuries-old festival.
The Mysuru Dasara Mahotsava traditionally begins with prayers at Chamundi Hills, followed by ten days of cultural and religious events culminating in Vijayadashami.
(With inputs from MoneyControl)
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
