Mon Sep 15 06:21:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
The Karnataka High Court upheld the state government’s decision to invite writer Banu Mushtaq, an international Booker Prize winner, to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festival. The decision was challenged by a group of petitioners, including a former MP, who cited Mushtaq’s alleged anti-Hindu and anti-Kannada comments from a 2023 literary event. The court dismissed the petitions, stating that inviting a person of different faith does not violate constitutional or legal rights. The Advocate General highlighted the government’s secular duty and pointed out that even the petitioners, during their tenures, had shared stages with people of different faiths during the festival.
**News Article:**
**Karnataka High Court Upholds Invitation of Author Banu Mushtaq to Inaugurate Mysuru Dasara Festival**
**Bengaluru, September 15, 2025** – The Karnataka High Court today dismissed petitions challenging the state government’s decision to invite internationally acclaimed writer Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the prestigious Mysuru Dasara festival, set to begin on September 22nd.
A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi, ruled against the petitions filed by Pratap Simha, a former Member of Parliament from Mysuru, and others, who argued that Mushtaq’s invitation was inappropriate due to comments she allegedly made against Hinduism and the Kannada language at a literary event in 2023. The petitioners claimed Mushtaq’s remarks demonstrated a lack of faith in Hindu deities, making her unsuitable for inaugurating a festival that begins with worshipping the Goddess.
The court rejected the arguments, stating, “We are not persuaded to accept the arguments that an invitation to a person of different faith violate constitutional or legal right.”
State Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty defended the government’s decision, emphasizing its secular duty in organizing the Dasara festival. He further pointed out that Mr. Simha, in his previous role as an MP, had shared the stage with individuals of different faiths during past festivals. Shetty also cited the government’s recent notification ensuring that individuals are not prevented from entering temples based on caste or religion.
The High Court’s decision reaffirms the state government’s commitment to inclusivity and secularism in celebrating its cultural heritage. The Mysuru Dasara festival is a significant event in Karnataka, attracting visitors from across the globe. Banu Mushtaq, a celebrated author known for her internationally award winning book, will proceed with her role as the inaugural figure for this year’s celebrations.
First Piper 