Overview

• Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C. M. Joshi dismissed multiple petitions, including one by former MP Pratap Simha, against the state’s invitation.
• The court said Article 26 was not attracted and noted that no temple or trustee had claimed any religious right was affected.
• Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty argued Dasara is a government festival open to all communities, citing a 62-member invitation panel and the 2017 Nisar Ahmed precedent.
• The judges emphasized India’s secular character and said opinions or public sentiment cannot override constitutional principles.
• The court declined the state’s request to impose costs, and the inauguration remains scheduled for September 22 with festivities through October 2.