Overview

• MLC A. H. Vishwanath publicly defended the state’s invite to Booker winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara, describing it as a secular ‘Nada Habba’.
• He rebuked BJP leaders Pratap Simha, R. Ashok and Shobha Karandlaje, alleging racism and religious incitement and objecting to threats to block Mushtaq at Chamundi Hills.
• Vishwanath urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to clearly affirm that Mushtaq will inaugurate the festival and to felicitate translator Deepa Bhasthi before the Mysore Palace.
• KPCC spokesperson H. A. Venkatesh requested the Karnataka High Court take suo motu cognisance of inflammatory remarks and act to prevent unrest around the invitation.
• The government’s plan for Mushtaq to open the September 22 festivities remains intact as protests continue, with BJP’s B. Y. Vijayendra questioning why Bhasthi was not also invited and royal scion Pramoda Devi cautioning against politicising the temple.