Mysuru: The Janata Dal (Secular) has taken a stance different from its NDA ally BJP regarding the Karnataka government’s invitation to Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festival this year.
JD(S) support
Union Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said he had no objection to the invitation. He noted that the government intended to give Mushtaq “a big message and responsibility” in leading the Goddess Chamundeshwari procession” and clarified that he supported the move.
Kumaraswamy’s comments contrast sharply with the BJP, which has voiced strong objections to the decision.
BJP opposition
Mysuru BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar questioned Mushtaq’s past remarks about the Kannada language, the state flag, and her views on Goddess Chamundeshwari.
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje described the decision as an “insult to Hindu sentiments”, writing on X that Mysuru Dasara is a sacred festival rooted in faith and tradition, not a cultural show. She accused the Congress of appeasement politics, stating, “Asking someone with no faith in our Devi to offer the first prayers is a direct insult to the Goddess and to every devotee.”
Former Mysuru MP and BJP leader Prathap Simha also objected, clarifying that his opposition was not because Mushtaq is Muslim, acknowledging her literary contributions. However, he questioned her connection to Dasara rituals:
“Does Banu Mushtaq believe in Goddess Chamundi? Has she ever followed our customs? This is not a government programme, it is a ritual expressing unwavering faith in the Goddess. Is she the right person for this?”
Congress stance
The Congress government stood firm, asserting that the Dasara festival is cultural in nature and should not be interpreted through the lens of caste or religion.
Conclusion
The differing positions of JD(S) and BJP highlight a growing political divide over the Mysuru Dasara-2025 inauguration, with debates intensifying on the intersection of faith, tradition, and cultural representation ahead of the celebrations.