Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced recently that International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq will inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara 2025 celebrations, which will begin on September 22.
Banu Mushtaq, a Kannada writer, activist, and lawyer, was born in Hassan district of Karnataka. She received the International Booker Prize in May at a ceremony in London along with Deepa Bhasthi, who translated the title from Kannada to English.
"Banu Mushtaq has come from the background of struggle for various causes; she has worked in the Raita Sangha, Kannada Chaluvali. She is a progressive thinker. Such a woman has been invited for Dasara inauguration. I have spoken to her," the CM said.
However, the decision did not go down well with the BJP, which said it is inappropriate for a person whose faith is uncertain to preside over a religious ceremony.
VIDEO | Mysuru, Karnataka: On Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year’s Dasara festivities, BJP State OBC Morcha President R. Raghu Kautilya says, "Both Author Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Basti equally deserve honours at Dasara festival. Calling only… pic.twitter.com/M7OJeiQNYk
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2025
Former Mysuru MP Pratap Simha said, "I personally respect Banu Mushtaq for her achievement. It is acceptable when she chairs the Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, but not Dasara, a Hindu religious event which starts with offering pooja to Goddess Chamundeshwari. Does she have faith in Chamundeshwari Devi? Is she following our traditions?" Simha said while speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Sunday.
Expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who represents Vijayapura, said in a X post, "I personally hold respect for Banu Mushtaq madam as a writer and activist. However, her inaugurating Dasara by offering flowers and lighting the lamp to Goddess Chamundeshwari seems to be in conflict with her own religious beliefs".
G. Parameshwara responds
Responding to the BJP criticism, Home Minister Dr. Parameshwara pointed out that Dasara is a secular festival. "It is not right to oppose this. This is not a religious issue. Dasara is a national festival," he said.
Mysuru | On the BJP questioning Booker winner Banu Mishtaq to inaugurate Mysore Dasara festival, Karnataka Minister G Parameshwara says, "It is not right to oppose this. This is not a religious issue. Dasara is a national festival." pic.twitter.com/YzZnOZcCdX
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025
He sought to know if it is possible to celebrate Dasara by excluding one religion. "Didn't Mirza Ismail celebrate Dasara as the Diwan? Didn't Nissar Ahmed inaugurate Dasara?," he asked.
Mirza Ismail was the diwan of Mysore from 1926 to 1941. He led the administration in organising the Mysore Dasara, and even
expanded the scope of the Dasara Exhibition, using it as a platform to publicise Mysore’s economic and industrial achievements.
Nissar Ahmad inaugurated Dasara in 2017
In 2017, poet Prof K.S. Nissar Ahmad scripted history by becoming the first non-Hindu to inaugurate Dasara.
“I was initially shocked and scared to accept the invite to open the festival. I introspected whether I have the morality to inaugurate it. I decided to accept it as Dasara attracts people from across the globe and from all religions and sects, whereas Haj and Kumbh Melas are confined to particular religions,” he had then said, according to The New Indian Express.
