US EditionKarnataka HC Rejects Pleas Against Govt Invite to Writer Banu Mushtaq to Inaugurate Mysuru Dasara
The Karnataka High Court dismissed petitions challenging the invitation of Banu Mushtaq, the 2025 International Booker Prize winner, to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara, emphasizing secularism and inclusivity.
- On September 15, 2025, the Karnataka High Court rejected four petitions challenging the state's decision to have Banu Mushtaq officially open the Mysuru Dasara celebrations set to begin on September 22.
- The petitions, including one by former MP Pratap Simha filed on September 6, cited Mushtaq's alleged past anti-Hindu and anti-Kannada remarks as reasons to revoke the invitation.
- The court ruled the inauguration as a state function, not exclusively religious, and noted the dignitary selection committee included 62 respected members across political parties.
- The bench stated, "This is a secular state" and found no constitutional violation in inviting Mushtaq, adding the festival celebrates all communities as 'Nada Habba' .
- The decision supports inclusive state representation at Mysuru Dasara and implies continued government discretion to honor cultural figures beyond religious affiliations.
12 Articles
12 Articles
‘Inviting a Person of Different Faith Does Not Violates Constitutional Rights’: Karnataka High Court Dismisses Pleas Against Invitation to Author Banu Mushtaq for Mysuru Dasara Inauguration
The Karnataka High Court dismissed petitions challenging the state government's decision to invite Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara. "We are not persuaded to accept the contention that inviting a person of a different faith to inaugurate the event violates the legal or constitutional rights of the petitioners," the court observed. ‘Inviting a Person of Different Faith Does Not Violates Constitutional Right…
HC rejects pleas against Banu Mushtaq's invite to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Monday dismissed the petitions challenging the state government’s decision to invite International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the ‘Mysuru Dasara’ festivities this year. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bhakru and Justice C M Joshi declined to entertain four public interest litigations (PIL), including the one filed by former BJP member of parliament from Mysuru Pratap Simh…
Karnataka HC dismisses BJP leader Pratap Simha’s plea against Dasara inauguration by Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq
While Pratap Simha accused Banu Mushtaq of being 'anti-Hindu', the Karnataka Government said it had discretionary powers to select any personality from the fields of arts and literature to inaugurate the Dasara event.
HC declines to interfere with invitation to Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara
Former Mysuru MP Pratap Simha had questioned invitation to Banu Mushtaq primarily due to her alleged anti-Hindu and anti-Kannada comments at a literary event in 2023, and also inviting her without consulting the representatives of Mysuru royal family.
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