Mysuru – The city police on Tuesday foiled separate padayatra attempts by right-wing and Dalit activists at Kurubarahalli Circle, sparking tense moments until noon. The protests were centred around the state government’s decision to invite International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the upcoming Dasara festival on September 22.

Right-wing protest and detentions

Right-wing groups, led by Hindu Jagarana Vedike, opposed the government’s decision and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s remark that “Chamundi Hills does not belong to Hindus alone.”

  • The groups had planned a Chamundi Hills Chalo march to the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple.
  • BJP leaders including Krishnaraja MLA T.S. Srivatsa, city unit president L. Nagendra, and Sushruth Gowda were at the forefront.
  • Police detained the leaders and shifted them to the City Armed Reserve grounds.

Later, former MP Pratap Simmha led another group of party workers in an attempted march. He demanded that Banu Mushtaq apologise before attending the festival. Police detained over 200 activists and moved them to Alanahalli police station.

Dalit activists back government

Earlier in the day, Dalit Mahasabha, led by S. Rajesh, gathered near the same circle to support the government’s decision.

Rajesh accused right-wing groups of “communalising” Dasara celebrations and urged people to reject BJP’s politics. Police stopped this group as well, preventing them from marching to Chamundi Hills.

Devotees caught in the crossfire

The standoff disrupted routine temple visits. On Tuesdays, the Chamundeshwari Temple usually sees high footfall, but the protests led to cancellations and restrictions:

  • KSRTC suspended bus services to Chamundi Hills and private vehicles were barred until late afternoon.
  • Many devotees had to return without darshan.

“We reached early in the morning but were told there was no bus service. Even after waiting till 1 pm, there were no buses, so we went back home,” said Suneetha Ramegowda, a devotee from Agrahara.

KSRTC officials said services resumed only in the evening once tensions eased.

Background

The controversy began after the government invited Banu Mushtaq, a celebrated writer and International Booker Prize recipient, to inaugurate Dasara 2025. While progressive groups hailed the move as inclusive, right-wing organisations accused the government of “hurting Hindu sentiments.”