Siddaramaiah Defends Invite To Banu Mushtaq For Dasara Opening, Cites Historical Precedents Of Hyder-Tipu Reigns

Karnataka Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah on Sunday (31 August) defended the decision to have Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq inaugurate the state’s Dasara celebrations, dismissing opposition as the work of “zealots.”

The controversy has drawn criticism from BJP MLA R Ashoka, who threatened a “Chamundeshwari Chalo” protest if the sanctity of the Mysuru temple, where the event is scheduled on 22 September, is “violated,” reported The Indian Express.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah highlighted Mushtaq’s literary achievement as the reason for her selection. “In the past, members of the Muslim community, including poet Nisar Ahmed, have inaugurated the festival. Dasara is a cultural event for all people of the state—Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Jains,” he said.

The Chief Minister emphasised that Nada Habba, the state festival, is not bound by religious or caste restrictions. He cited historical precedents, noting the festival was celebrated during the reigns of Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan, and under Diwan Sir Mirza Ismail of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom. “Only zealots are making these statements. I don’t think they know history. It is good if they learn history,” Siddaramaiah added.

Some critics demanded that Mushtaq declare her devotion to the goddess Chamundeshwari. Addressing claims that the author had disrespected Bhuvaneshwari, Siddaramaiah questioned whether she could have written in Kannada without love for the language. Mushtaq won the Booker Prize for Heart Lamp, the English translation of her Kannada short stories.

Ashoka, after visiting the Chamundeshwari temple, accused the government of targeting Hindu religious sites. “Such a sacred festival should not be defiled,” he said, drawing parallels with previous temple controversies.

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