When the world is treading the dangerous path of war and when humanity is drowning in hatred and bloodshed, the 'Mysuru Dasara' stands tall, spreading the message of love and harmony - said International Booker Prize winner 2025 Banu Mushtaq, after inaugurating the Dasara festivities in Mysuru on Monday.
Amid stiff resistance by the saffron brigade to a non-Hindu writer inaugurating a "Hindu religious festival", Mushtaq chose to silence her critics by describing the occasion as a cultural legacy, which was unifying in nature.
It may be recalled that the Supreme Court last week rejected a plea challenging Karnataka High Court order that had upheld the state government's decision to invite International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festivities at the Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi hills in Mysuru on September 22.
"What is the preamble of this country? How can the state distinguish between A,B, and C?," the apex court had asked the petitioner before dismissing the plea.
Earlier, the Karnataka High Court had dismissed all PILs including one filed by former Mysuru MP Pratap Simha opposing International Booker Prize winner and Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq. "She being a non-Hindu, should not inaugurate Dasara as she had allegedly questioned the use of 'arashina-kumkuma' (turmeric-vermillion) colours in the Kannada flag and addressing the Kannada language as Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. She was opposed to Arashina-kumkuma and Kannada culture. Now she says it is Goddess Chamundeshwari's will that she is inaugurating Dasara. But sadly, she is not welcome in the mosque despite her being a Muslim," Simha had ridiculed, adding that idol worship was prohibited in Islam.
Union minister Shobha Karandlaje had wondered aloud that the Congress government had chosen Banu Mushtaq when there were several other Kannada writers. "Does she have faith in Goddess Chamundeshwari, when she has no faith in Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. The government says Dasara is a cultural festival and not a religious festival. I want to know since when Navratri ceased to be a religious event?," Karandlaje had asked.
Mysuru royal scion and Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Wadiyar had opposed her selection, stating she had objected to Kannada language being deified as Goddess Bhuvaneshwari and stated it was only to exclude (non-Hindu) writers like her.
"I am not questioning her religious beliefs but want her to respect the religious beliefs and traditions of others. Let her clarify her stand on the Hindu religious beliefs," Wadiyar had said.
Banu, draped in an orange-coloured 'Mysore silk' saree with a green border, wearing jasmine flowers around her hairbun, said, "This is a moment of great honour in my life. Dasara is not just a festival but the pulse of this state and a cultural fair and an occasion to bring everyone together to create harmony. Every life created on this soil has a connection, legacy, and responsibility. We are inaugurating Dasara festivities in a grand manner today."
Recounting one of her friends taking a vow to take her to Chamundeshwari temple when she won the Booker prize, Banu said, "I could not visit the temple for some reason. But now, it seems the Goddess has summoned me through this government invitation to inaugurate Dasara, such an auspicious occasion."
Stressing the need for unity in diversity, the cultural ethos of Karnataka, the writer said, "Culture is a culmination of different voices and unity in diversity and Dasara is a symbol of our collective culture. I am aware that the Urdu-speaking community in Mysuru has Urdu references to each custom followed during this 10-day festival. 'Vijayadashami' is referred to as 'Silingan'. So it is an integral part of their life. No one is an alien.
Recalling her link to the Mysuru royal family, she said, "One of my uncles from Belagola in Mysuru - Sipayi Mohammad Ghouse was a bodyguard of the Mysuru king. I feel proud when I remember Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar who trusted Muslims enough to make them his bodyguards. Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar is relevant to this day as he believed in social justice and was benevolent."
In a carefully worded speech, Banu poked her critics saying culture built bridges between hearts and spread love and never bred hatred. "My religious beliefs and life lessons do not step out of my door and have only inculcated humane values, empathy towards every living being. The rich culture of this land has taught me to assimilate and respect each other's lives.
"This is a garden of peace for all religions. Let every flower bloom in its hue and fragrance and every bird should sing in its own tune. When they merge, it should be a harmonious symphony.
Elaborating on the importance of the Constitution, Banu said that democracy was not a system but a value. "We are all travellers under this sky, which does not discriminate just like the earth. But it is the human who demarcates boundaries. Chamundeshwari is the endless strength of a woman, her invincibility and grit. Feminine is not just a symbol of softness and motherhood but the power to stand against injustices," reminded Banu adding that respecting democratic values and each other's culture and beliefs only enriched life.
"The fragrance is of human love. Goddess Chamundeshwari is a symbol of strength, compassion and protection. Let her destroy the hatred and intolerance in us. The festival should go beyond borders to light up the lamp of justice. Every heart should grow the spirit of Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution," she urged and also added that she had inaugurated many events, lighted lamps and taken 'mangalarathi' too.
"None of this is new to me. In my upcoming biography, a portion deals with my bond with Hinduism. I thank the chief minister for standing by me amid so much opposition to my inaugurating the festivities," said Mushtaq.
"In a world blazing under war and hate, we should triumph through 'akshara' (letters) and not 'asthra' (weapons)," she appealed.
Earlier, the writer visited the Chamundeshwari temple atop the Chamundi hills along with the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other dignitaries and offered prayers before the official inauguration of the 10-day festivities in the heritage city. Interestingly, the huge gathering read out the Preamble in chorus, a new addition to the state's festivities.
Siddaramaiah said, "Let's not pollute the Nada Habba (state festival) with petty politics. A majority of people welcomed her. Banu Mushtaq is not just a Muslim but one who upholds universal human values. Our Constitution is secular and is built on tolerance and co-existence."