Dasara inauguration akin to endorsing idol worship: Imam refuses to issue fatwa against Mushtaq

The Dasara inauguration row has deepened as Jamia Masjid Imam Prof Mohammed Maqsood Imran refused to entertain demands from a section of Muslims allegedly urging him to issue a fatwa against Booker Award winner Dr Banu Mushtaq, who has been invited as the Chief Guest, even as the Mysuru Royal family and BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar expressed strong opposition to her presiding over the event.

According to Free Press Journal, the Imam maintained that it was wrong to prevent anyone from inaugurating festivals, yet he also raised concerns about whether Mushtaq could reconcile her past statements with the rituals and practices involved in the Dasara inauguration.

The report suggested that the controversy has divided opinion among Muslims, as several groups argued that Mushtaq’s participation would amount to endorsing idol worship, which they considered incompatible with Islamic belief.

These groups had approached the Jamia Masjid leadership seeking a fatwa, but the Imam asserted that such interference would only undermine harmony among communities and emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence, the report said.

However, he also pointed out that the inauguration involved rituals such as the arati and tilak, which he suggested Mushtaq should carefully reflect upon before taking part.

The issue escalated further with Yaduveer Wadiyar insisting that Mushtaq clarify her earlier remarks made in 2023, where she distanced herself from traditional practices like arishina-kumkum and from associating the Kannada language with the cultural symbol of Bhuvaneshwari.

He indicated that without such clarification, he would oppose her inaugurating Dasara, arguing that someone who did not identify with such traditions should not be placed in the position of upholding them at a prestigious cultural event. His stand, he said, was aligned with that of his party, the BJP.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, already at the centre of criticism for his earlier remarks on Chamundi Hills not being the sole property of Hindus, chose to withdraw himself from further discussion on the matter.

His earlier comments had drawn sharp objections from the Mysuru Royal family, including Yaduveer Wadiyar and Pramoda Devi, who accused the government of attempting to undermine Hindu temples.