Overview

• Former MP Pratap Simha filed a petition on Saturday seeking a High Court stay on the state’s invitation to International Booker winner Banu Mushtaq, citing Dasara’s Vedic rituals and alleging her past remarks offend Hindu and Kannada sentiments.
• Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the objections politically motivated, said there is no evidence Mushtaq insulted ‘Kannadambe,’ and noted the government will contest the matter in court.
• Mushtaq accepted the formal invitation delivered by Mysuru district officials in Hassan, with the festivities scheduled to open on September 22 and conclude on October 2.
• Hindu Jagarana Vedike announced a September 9 ‘Mysuru/Chamundi Betta Chalo’ rally urging that the invitation be withdrawn, and other groups have pressed Mushtaq to decline.
• Members of the erstwhile Mysore royal family have voiced opposition, BJP leader Abdul Azeem urged her to turn down the role, and the government maintains Dasara is the state’s festival rather than a strictly religious event.