The Dasara festival commenced at the renowned Chamundi Temple in Mysore, Karnataka. The inauguration was performed by Booker Prize winner, Muslim Banoo Mushtaq. This event sparked considerable controversy and opposition. The matter escalated to the Supreme Court, which upheld the state government’s decision, clarifying that it was a government-sponsored event, not a private religious ceremony, and therefore, discrimination based on religion was unwarranted. Even during the commencement of the festival, protests were witnessed.
Banoo Mushtaq, the Booker Prize recipient, inaugurated the 11-day Mysore Dasara festival at the Chamundeshwari Temple. Addressing the opposition to her participation in the state festival, she emphasized unity, inclusivity, and cultural harmony.
During the opening ceremony, Mushtaq offered flowers and lit a lamp at the temple. She expressed that it was the greatest honor of her life, celebrating the culture and harmony of the land.
During Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s speech at the Mysore Dasara inauguration, some attendees began to leave, prompting a stern reaction from the CM. He rebuked them, questioning their presence if they couldn’t remain seated, and instructed the police to prevent anyone from exiting the venue, continuing his speech.
Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, while addressing the gathering, stated that Mushtaq, despite being Muslim, is first and foremost a human being, and that we are all part of the same humanity. He added that if one fails to love each other, it isn’t humanity.
Mushtaq, responding to her critics and those protesting, stated that through her speech she conveyed a message of unity. She called for a society of love where everyone shares equally and is equally cared for.
She hoped that the flowers of the earth blossom in unity and that hatred and intolerance within us disappear. She expressed that the lamp lit there should communicate peace, patience, and justice to all of humanity and illuminate the entire world.
The Mysore Dasara festival, with a history spanning over 500 years, holds great significance across India. It was initiated by Raja Wodeyar I in 1610, in honor of Goddess Chamundeshwari (a form of Durga). Banoo Mushtaq, a 62-year-old Kannada writer, social activist, and associated with farmer movements and Kannada language movements, received the International Booker Prize in 2025. Her achievement led the state government to select her as the chief guest for the event.