Overview

• Karnataka’s Congress government is proceeding with its plan for International Booker winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara on September 22, describing the event as a state cultural festival.
• BJP leaders have demanded an apology from Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar over his remark that Chamundi Hill and the temple are not the property of Hindus alone, accusing the government of appeasement.
• Pramoda Devi Wadiyar voiced distress over the politicisation of Chamundeshwari Temple, affirmed its Hindu character, and reiterated that the state-run Dasara is distinct from the royal family’s private dharmic rituals.
• JD(S) leader and Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy said he had no objection to Mushtaq inaugurating the festivities, setting his party apart from its NDA ally BJP.
• Local groups in Mysuru filed protests and petitions as a 2023 video of Mushtaq questioning the deification of Kannada resurfaced; Mushtaq said her comments were distorted and affirmed respect for the festival and Chamundeshwari.