Writer Banu Mushtaq inaugurates Dasara festival in Mysuru amid controversy

The famous Mysuru Dasara festival commenced in the city and palaces on Monday with religious and traditional fervour, with International Booker Prize-winning writer Banu Mushtaq inaugurating the festivities.

Mushtaq inaugurated the festivities during the auspicious “Vrushchika Lagna” by showering flowers on the idol of goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru and its royals, amid chanting of Vedic hymns by priests, at the premises of Chamundeshwari temple atop the Chamundi Hills here.

Celebrated as ‘Nada Habba’ (state festival), the 11-day Dasara or ‘Sharan Navaratri’ festivities are expected to be a grand affair this year, showcasing Karnataka’s rich culture and traditions.

In the inaugural event, Mushtaq was accompanied by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, several ministers in the state cabinet, among others.

Earlier, Mushtaq, along with CM and other dignitaries, visited the Chamundeshwari temple and offered prayers to the goddess, referred to as the “Naada Devate” (state deity), ahead of the inaugural.

The inauguration took place amid controversy, with objections from some sections, against the government’s decision to invite Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the festival.

The Supreme Court on Friday had dismissed a plea challenging the Karnataka High Court’s decision upholding the state government’s invitation to Mushtaq to inaugurate Dasara.

Objections have been raised by BJP leaders and others to the state government’s decision to invite Mushtaq to inaugurate the Dasara festivities, following an old video that went viral, in which she has reportedly expressed reservations about worshipping the Kannada language as “Goddess Bhuvaneshwari”, stating that it was exclusionary to people like her (minorities).

However, Mushtaq, on her part, has said that her statement has been distorted by making selective parts of her old speech go viral on social media.

The festival is likely to showcase Karnataka’s cultural heritage resplendent with folk art forms as usual; it attracts large crowds and tourists, officials have said.