Overview

• International Booker 2025 winner Banu Mushtaq said she respects Goddess Chamundeshwari and regards Dasara as a state festival after accepting the honor.
• Chief Minister Siddaramaiah selected her to open the Sept 22–Oct 2 festivities, which traditionally begin with rituals at the Chamundi Hill temple.
• Senior BJP leaders including C T Ravi, Pratap Simha and expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal questioned her suitability for the religious opening and sought clarity on her beliefs.
• Mysuru MP and royal scion Yaduveer Wadiyar asked Mushtaq to state her reverence for Tayi Bhuvaneshwari and Tayi Chamundeshwari before presiding.
• The Congress government defended the choice as a cultural recognition with precedent, and Udupi police filed cases over inflammatory social-media posts targeting her religion.