'Hindu Dharmic Utsava': Mysuru Royal Scion Wadiyar Questions Invitation To Author Banu Mushtaq For Dasara Festival Opening

Royal scion and member of Parliament (MP) from Mysore-Kodagu,
Yaduveer Wadiyar has also raised concerns over the Karnataka government's invitation to Booker Prize-winning author and activist Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara celebrations.

Praising Banu Mushtaq for her contributions to Kannada literature, Wadiyar raised concerns over the author's past remarks regarding Tayi Bhuvaneshwari, which made it clear that she does not adhere to Hindu traditions.

Notably, the remarks were made in 2023. On Friday (22 August), Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that Mushtaq would inaugurate the world-famous Dasara Mahotsav on 22 September, with Vijaya Dashami to be observed on 2 October.

Asserting that Dasara is "not merely a cultural event, but a Hindu Dharmic Utsava," which is "rooted in the Shastra and Puranas and celebrated with grandeur since the days of the Vijayanagara Samrajya and the Mysuru Samsthana," Wadiyar urged Mushtaq to clarify her stance.

"Given this sacred legacy, it is only appropriate that Smt Mushtaq clarify her reverence towards Tayi Bhuvaneshwari and Tayi Chamundeshwari before consenting to preside as Chief Guest of this year’s Dasara celebrations," BJP MP Wadiyar posted on X.

Several Hindu activists and BJP leaders have come out to clarify that Dasara is not a secular festival, since the celebrations include nine days of Durga Aradhana, Navadurga Pooja, Nandi Dhwaja Pooja, and the sacred Jambu Savari of Taayi Chamundeshwari.

While announcing the invitation to Mustaq, Siddaramaiah had said, "Banu Musthaq, a writer from Hassan in Karnataka, will inaugurate the world-famous Dasara Mahotsav this year. It is a matter of pride and joy for us that a woman writer from Karnataka received this honour. It is significant that a woman has been invited to inaugurate Dasara.”