Banu Mushtaq Inaugurates Mysuru Dasara Amid Controversy

Banu Mushtaq Inaugurates Mysuru Dasara Amid Controversy

Mysuru, September 22, 2025 – In a moment that blended literary grace with cultural splendor, International Booker Prize-winning Kannada author Banu Mushtaq officially inaugurated the Mysuru Dasara Mahotsav 2025 at the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills this morning. Amid the resounding chants of Vedic hymns and the showering of floral tributes on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the 77-year-old writer from Hassan lit the ceremonial lamp and offered prayers during the auspicious Vrushchika Lagna between 10:10 AM and 10:40 AM. Accompanied by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, several cabinet colleagues, and senior officials, Mushtaq's participation marked a historic nod to inclusivity in the state's grandest festival. Yet, the event unfolded against a backdrop of heated controversy, with BJP leaders and Hindu groups decrying the choice of a Muslim writer to lead rituals traditionally tied to Hindu devotion. As the 11-day Nada Habba—celebrated from September 22 to October 2—kicks off with palace illuminations and cultural extravaganzas, Mushtaq's presence has reignited debates on secularism, tradition, and the essence of this UNESCO-recognized heritage spectacle. "This is a festival for all Karnataka," Mushtaq said post-inauguration, her voice steady amid the cheers. "It honors our shared heritage, not divisions."

The inauguration, held under clear skies with temperatures hovering at 28°C, drew thousands to the hilltop temple, where the air was thick with the scent of jasmine and sandalwood. Mushtaq, dressed in a simple white saree embroidered with Kannada motifs, performed the Agra Puja—offering kumkum, turmeric, fruits, and flowers—symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who defended the invitation as a celebration of literary excellence, joined her in the floral shower, invoking blessings for the state's prosperity. The event, broadcast live on Doordarshan and streamed on the official Mysuru Dasara portal, symbolized a bridge between Karnataka's progressive literary world and its ancient royal traditions. However, the undercurrent of dissent was palpable: Preventive custody of over 200 BJP and Hindu Jagaran Vedike supporters protesting at the foothills underscored the tensions that simmered from August onward. As the royal family held a parallel private darbar at Mysuru Palace, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, the titular head, extended cautious support, emphasizing the festival's cultural over religious primacy. With the Jamboo Savari procession looming on October 2, today's launch sets the tone for a Dasara that is as much about unity as it is about heritage—and controversy.

The Storied Legacy of Mysuru Dasara: A Royal Spectacle Rooted in Devotion

Mysuru Dasara, fondly known as Nada Habba or the State Festival of Karnataka, traces its origins to the 17th century under the Wodeyar dynasty, evolving from a modest Vijayadashami observance into a 10-day extravaganza blending mythology, monarchy, and modernity. Dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of the Mysore royals, the festival commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura—whose slaying at Chamundi Hills gives the locale its name. Historically, the Wadiyars, starting with Raja Wadiyar in 1610, infused it with pomp: Processions of caparisoned elephants, gold-laden howdahs, and illuminated palaces turned Mysuru into a living canvas of opulence.

By the 20th century, under Diwan Mirza Ismail—a Muslim administrator—the festival transcended religious boundaries, incorporating folk arts, literary meets, and industrial exhibitions to foster state unity. Post-independence, it became a government-sponsored event, drawing over 50 lakh visitors annually and generating ₹500 crore in economic activity. In 2025, the theme "Sustainable Heritage" underscores eco-friendly illuminations using LED lights and biodegradable decorations, aligning with Karnataka's green initiatives. Key highlights include the Gajapayana elephant march on September 23, where 15 pachyderms arrive from various forests; the Dasara Flower Show at Kuppanna Park with 1,000 floral replicas of landmarks; and Yuva Sambhrama, showcasing youth talents from September 25 onward.

The inauguration at Chamundeshwari Temple, a ritual since 1975, traditionally involves the chief guest lighting the lamp and offering prayers, symbolizing the festival's auspicious start. Past inaugurators like poet Nissar Ahmed in 2017—a Muslim—set precedents for diversity, yet 2025's choice amplifies those echoes amid polarized times. As the palace gears up for Deepotsava illuminations from September 28, Dasara reaffirms its role as Karnataka's cultural heartbeat, where tradition meets transformation.

Banu Mushtaq: The Literary Trailblazer at the Heart of the Storm

Banu Mushtaq, born on April 3, 1948, in Hassan to a large Muslim family, embodies resilience and rebellion in Kannada literature. Enrolled at age eight in a Shivamogga missionary school on the condition of mastering Kannada in six months, she not only learned the language swiftly but began writing poetry soon after—a testament to her prodigious talent. Her father, a government servant, instilled discipline, while her home steeped her in Urdu and Quranic studies, creating a bilingual world that infused her work with nuanced cultural intersections.

Mushtaq's literary journey ignited at 29, amid postpartum depression as a new mother. Turning to the pen as therapy, she explored women's inner lives, publishing her debut short story collection in 1978. Over decades, she authored six collections, a novel, essays, and poetry, often delving into the peripheries of Muslim communities in southern India—portraying girls and women navigating patriarchy, faith, and societal constraints. Her stories, laced with dry humor and searing empathy, critique fundamentalism and injustice, earning her a spot as a founding member of the Bandaya Sahitya Sanghatane (Rebel Literary Movement) in the 1980s.

Activism intertwined with her art: A lawyer by training, Mushtaq championed women's rights, facing fatwas, threats, and a knife attack for advocating Muslim women's mosque access. Her English breakthrough came with Heart Lamp: Selected Stories (2025, translated by Deepa Bhasthi), a poignant anthology of 12 tales spanning three decades. Winning the International Booker Prize in May 2025— the first for a Kannada author—catapulted her to global acclaim, with critics praising its "emotional and moral weight" in illuminating silenced voices. Stories like "Red Lungi" (featured in Paris Review) and "Be a Woman Once, Oh Lord!" blend compassion with critique, her prose a "string of letters written with the heart’s sharp nib and the red ink inside."

At 77, Mushtaq remains a force: Vegan, family-centric, and unapologetic, she views writing as resistance. Her invitation to Dasara, she told Deccan Herald on September 3, fulfills a "vow to Chamundeshwari Devi," framing it as a secular honor. Yet, a 2023 literary event speech—critiquing Kannada's deification as "Kannada Bhuvaneshwari"—fueled accusations of anti-Hindu sentiment, thrusting her into the controversy's eye. For Mushtaq, Dasara isn't conquest; it's convergence—a literary light illuminating cultural shadows.

The Spark of Controversy: BJP's Objections and Legal Firestorms

The announcement on August 25, 2025, lit the fuse. Expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal fired the first salvo on X, questioning a Muslim's role in "Hindu rituals," citing Mushtaq's faith as conflicting with offerings to Goddess Chamundeshwari. "Her inaugurating Dasara... seems in conflict with her own religious beliefs," he posted, demanding clarification. Former Mysuru MP Pratap Simha amplified, alleging "anti-Hindu and anti-Kannada" remarks from her 2023 speech and decrying the snub to the Wadiyar family. BJP OBC Morcha chief R. Raghu Kautilya accused partiality, noting translator Deepa Bhasthi's omission. Protests erupted: Hindu Jagaran Vedike's "Chamundi Chalo" rally on September 15 was foiled by police, detaining 200 in preventive custody.

The row politicized Dasara's secular fabric. BJP portrayed it as a Hindu bastion, invoking Agamic traditions barring non-Hindus from temple pujas. Congress countered: Home Minister G. Parameshwara invoked precedents like Nissar Ahmed's 2017 inauguration and Mirza Ismail's Diwan role, insisting, "Dasara is a state festival, not religious." CM Siddaramaiah, on August 31, defended it as honoring literary merit, urging against communal lenses. Yaduveer Wadiyar sought Mushtaq's clarification on September 8, stressing non-offensiveness, while Pramoda Devi Wadiyar affirmed the temple's Hindu core but the festival's cultural breadth.

Legal battles ensued. Petitions by Simha, T. Girish Kumar, R. Sowmya, and H.S. Gaurav hit the Karnataka High Court on September 10, seeking invitation withdrawal. On September 15, Justices Vibhu Bakhru and C.M. Joshi dismissed them, ruling no violation of Articles 25-26 (religious freedom) and upholding secular inclusivity. "Inviting a person of different faith... does not offend constitutional rights," they observed, noting Simha's past stage-sharing with Muslim invitees. The Supreme Court, on September 19, rejected Gaurav's appeal thrice, with Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta invoking the Preamble's secularism: "How can the state distinguish between A, B, and C?" Dismissing claims of "purely political" moves, the bench affirmed Dasara as a public event. As Mushtaq inaugurated today, the rulings echoed: Tradition evolves, but unity endures.

The Inauguration Ceremony: Grace Under Pressure

Dawn broke over Chamundi Hills with devotional fervor. By 9 AM, the temple precincts brimmed with pilgrims in vibrant silks, the air alive with conch shells and bells. Security was airtight: 5,000 personnel, including K9 units and drones, managed crowds swelling to 20,000. Mushtaq arrived at 9:45 AM in a convoy with Siddaramaiah, greeted by district collector Kaven Kumar and temple priest N. Shivakumar, who clarified the puja's secular framing.

At 10:10 AM, in Vrushchika Lagna, Mushtaq ascended the sanctum steps, her hands trembling slightly as she lit the silver lamp amid Vedic chants by priests. The floral shower followed: Petals cascaded on Chamundeshwari's idol, Mushtaq offering a coconut and bananas with folded hands. "This moment honors every voice in Karnataka's story," she whispered to Siddaramaiah, who beamed approval. The 20-minute rite concluded with aarti and prasad distribution—kheer and fruits—to attendees. Post-ceremony, Mushtaq addressed the media: "Dasara fulfills my vow to the Devi; it's a bridge of faiths." Protests below were muted by barriers, though chants of "Jai Shri Ram" clashed faintly with the temple's serenity.

Parallel, Yaduveer Wadiyar's palace darbar from 8 AM invoked royal continuity, with the heir in traditional sherwani leading prayers. The dual inaugurations—temple and palace—highlighted Dasara's layered identity: Devotional core, royal legacy, state spectacle.

Political Ramifications: A Battleground for Secularism and Identity

The controversy transcends Dasara, mirroring Karnataka's polarized polity. Congress, riding 2023 assembly wins, leverages Mushtaq's invite to project secular credentials, countering BJP's Hindutva narrative post-2024 Lok Sabha setbacks. Siddaramaiah's government, facing caste census pressures, uses the festival for unity optics—inviting a Muslim woman writer signals inclusivity amid minority outreach. BJP, regrouping under BY Vijayendra, weaponizes it: Yatnal's barbs and Simha's petitions rally base, framing Congress as "anti-Hindu." MLC C.T. Ravi accused "appeasement politics," while Yaduveer Wadiyar's neutrality underscores royal equidistance.

Broader echoes: The row revives debates on state-sponsored rituals—can secular governments host religious fests? Precedents like Ahmed's inauguration bolster Congress, but BJP cites Agama Shastras for exclusion. As elections loom in 2028, Dasara becomes a proxy war: BJP's 40% vote share in Mysuru hinges on cultural custodianship; Congress eyes urban liberals and minorities. Analysts predict minimal electoral dent but amplified social media wars—#SecularDasara vs. #HinduDasara trending with 5 million posts by midday today.

Cultural Highlights and Festivities: Beyond the Divide

Undeterred by discord, Dasara 2025 dazzles. From September 23's Gajapayana—15 elephants marching to the palace—to the October 2 Jamboo Savari, where howdah-mounted Chamundeshwari parades amid 3,000 artists, the festival pulses with life. New additions: An air show by Surya Kiran on September 28 over Mysuru Airport; a food fest at Dasara Expo with 200 stalls showcasing millet-based dishes (0% GST per recent council nod); and eco-illuminations saving 50% energy.

Yuva Sambhrama from September 25 features 500 youth troupes in folk dances like Dollu Kunita and Yakshagana. Literary meets honor Kannada icons, with Mushtaq headlining a session on September 26. The Flower Show's 2025 centerpiece: A 50-foot Chamundeshwari replica from 10 lakh marigolds. Palace Deepotsava on September 29 lights 1 lakh lamps, while industrial expos at Vani Vilas Trade Fair ground boost MSMEs. For global audiences, VR tours via the Dasara app immerse in history. Amid festivities, Mushtaq's role subtly shifts focus: From controversy to celebration, embodying Dasara's evolving ethos.

Reflections and Legacy: Triumph of Inclusivity Over Intolerance

As September 22's sun sets over illuminated palaces, Banu Mushtaq's inauguration stands as a milestone. From court dismissals to floral showers, it affirms Dasara's secular soul— a festival where a Muslim writer's lamp kindles Hindu flames, echoing the Preamble's promise. Challenges persist: Protests may flare, but history favors harmony. Mushtaq, reflecting in a palace garden chat, quoted her Heart Lamp: "We step on cindering coals, carving space." For Karnataka, Dasara 2025 isn't division; it's defiance—a royal roar for unity in diversity. As Jamboo Savari approaches, may Chamundeshwari's grace prevail, turning controversy into confluence.