Mysuru Dasara Controversy: Banu Mushtaq Inauguration Row

Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq has been invited to inaugurate the famous Mysuru Dasara festival in September 2025. The invitation was extended by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who praised her as a “progressive thinker” and celebrated her recent international Booker Prize win.

But the Congress government’s decision triggered a political row in the state. Several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders criticized the choice, questioning the renowned writer’s suitability for the role.

The controversy

The controversy began when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared that Mushtaq would begin this year’s Mysuru Dasara celebrations. He said, “Inaugurating the world famous Dasara this year will be done by Booker International Prize winner Banu Mushtaq. Her story collection ‘Hridaya Deepa’ (Heart Lamp) got her the award. A woman from Karnataka getting the International Booker Prize is a happy occasion.”

“Banu Mushtaq came from a background of struggle for various causes. She worked in the Raita Sangha, Kannada Chaluvali. She is a progressive thinker. One such woman was invited to the inauguration of Dasara. I spoke to her,” Siddaramaiah added.

BJP criticizes the movement

The decision sparked a political debate. On Monday, Karnataka Leader of Opposition and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ashoka criticized the move and alleged that Siddaramaiah had insulted Hindu traditions. He accused the Congress government of “tarnishing the Hindu religion” and described Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as having a “Tipu mentality”.

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Expelled BJP MP Basanagouda Patil Yatnal said he respected Mushtaq but, “his dasara inaugurating by offering flowers and lighting the lamp to Goddess Chamundeshwari seems to be in conflict with his own religious beliefs.”

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Former Mysuru MP and BJP leader Prathap Simha echoed similar views. While speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Sunday, he said, “I personally respect Banu Mushtaq for his achievement. It is acceptable when she presides over the Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammeana, but not Dasara, a Hindu religious event that begins with the offering of pooja to the goddamn deviation.

R Raghu Kautilya, state president of the BJP OBC Morcha, argued that both Mushtaq and translator Deepa Basti deserve honors at the Dasara festival and Mushtaq’s invitation demonstrates the bias of the Congress government.

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Congress defends move

Congress leader and Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday defended the state government’s decision, urging critics not to communalize the event. Speaking to Mediapersons, he said: “It is not right to oppose it. It is not a religious issue. Dasara is a national festival.”

He emphasized that the Dasara celebrations highlighted the heritage and culture of Karnataka, rather than a religious tradition.

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Karnataka Minister Hk Patil also criticized the BJP, saying it was one of the positive initiatives of the government.

“Dasara is for all. It is a state festival. It is unfortunate that some people are trying to do politics… no one should do politics in this area. This is one of the right decisions that the government has taken. I think they (BJP) should reconsider their thought process,” he said.

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Mysuru dasara 2025

Mysuru Dasara is the state festival, held every year in Mysuru. Throughout the ten-day Dasara celebrations, many cultural activities and functions take place. In 2025, Mysuru Dasara will be celebrated from September 22 to October 2 this year.

The festival will include an elephant march (Gajapayana), extended lighting of the palace, cultural programs and the traditional Vijayadashami finale parade known as Jamboo Savari. This year’s events will also include an Indian Air Force air show.