K'ntka HC dismisses petitions against Banu Mushtaq inaugurating 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, PTI reported.

The court said, "This is a secular state," Live Law quoted.

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 Simha, stating that the petitioners had failed to demonstrate any constitutional or legal violation.

"We are not persuaded to accept that a person from a different faith inaugurating a function organised by the state would violate a legal or constitutional right of the petitioners or any values enshrined in the Constitution. The petitions stand dismissed,” the bench said.

The Mysuru district administration on September 3 had formally invited Mushtaq, despite objections from some sections, including the opposition BJP.

The controversy stems from allegations that Banu Mushtaq has made statements in the past that are perceived by some as "anti-Hindu" and "anti-Kannada".

Simha and other critics argue that her selection for the festival, which traditionally begins with Vedic rituals and floral offerings to Goddess Chamundeshwari, disrespects religious sentiments and long-standing traditions associated with the event.

Advocate General K Shashikiran Shetty, representing the state government, emphasised that the Dasara inauguration is a state function.

He pointed out that the committee that selected the person to be invited for the inauguration included representatives from across political parties, as well as local MPs and MLAs.

Shetty urged the court to dismiss the PILs, arguing that the challenge had no merit.