The Supreme Court has agreed to urgently hear a petition challenging the Karnataka Government’s decision to invite Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq as the Chief Guest for the inauguration of this year’s Dasara festivities at the Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysuru.
The petitioner’s counsel, while mentioning the matter before Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, argued:
“This is a plea against the Karnataka Government’s decision to allow a non-Hindu to perform Agra Puja at the Chamundeshwari Temple for the inauguration of Dasara in Mysuru.”
Since the event is scheduled for September 22, the counsel sought an urgent listing. The CJI has agreed to hear the matter on September 19.
Challenge Dismissed
On September 15, the Karnataka High Court dismissed petitions opposing Mushtaq’s invitation. The Division Bench had upheld the State’s decision, observing:
“Participation of a person practising a particular faith or religion, in celebrations of festivals of other religion does not offend the rights available under the Constitution of India.”
The court underlined that Mushtaq, who won the International Booker Prize in May for her anthology Heart Lamp, is not just an acclaimed author but also a lawyer and social activist.
Petitioners’ Arguments
The petitioners argued that allowing a non-Hindu to light the sacred lamp, offer fruits and flowers to the deity, or chant Vedic prayers would be inappropriate. They claimed such rituals could only be performed by a practising Hindu.
State’s Stand
Countering the objections, the Karnataka Government submitted that the Dasara inauguration is a State-sponsored function, not one organised by the temple authorities. It maintained that the choice of chief guest is not restricted by religion, pointing out that eminent personalities from diverse fields—scientists, educationists, authors, and freedom fighters—have inaugurated the festivities in the past.
Court’s Observations
The High Court held that the invitation to Mushtaq was a decision taken by a committee comprising elected representatives and government officials. It ruled that:
“We are unable to accept that any legal or constitutional right of the petitioners is violated by extending the invitation to respondent No.4 to inaugurate the State sponsored Dasara festivities. In our view, the extension of invitation to respondent No.4 does not fall foul of any of the values enshrined in the Constitution of India.”
The Bench further noted that no religious denomination had objected to the State’s decision and no constitutional or religious rights had been curtailed.
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