The Supreme Court upheld Karnataka HC’s decision approving Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq’s invitation to inaugurate the State-sponsored Dasara celebrations at Chamundi Temple.
The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition challenging the Karnataka High Court’s decision that allowed the State Government to invite Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq as Chief Guest for the inauguration of Mysuru’s iconic Dasara celebrations at Chamundi Temple.
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A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta dismissed the matter after a brief hearing, even as the petitioner’s counsel argued that a non-Hindu person cannot be allowed to perform temple rituals. Justice Nath stated “dismissed” multiple times during the hearing, putting an end to the challenge just days before the September 22 event.
The petitioner claimed that inviting Mushtaq to perform puja, light the sacred lamp, offer flowers, and chant Vedic prayers was a violation of religious practice. The bench, however, refused to entertain the plea despite submissions that Mushtaq had previously made remarks allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
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Earlier, the Karnataka High Court had ruled that inviting an individual from another faith to inaugurate a festival does not violate any constitutional rights. The court emphasized that Dasara festivities are state-sponsored and not controlled by any religious denomination, adding that accomplished personalities, including scientists, educationists, and freedom fighters, have been invited in the past.
The HC also highlighted that the invitation was decided by a committee comprising elected representatives and government officials, and that no fundamental rights of the petitioners or any religious community had been curtailed.
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With the Supreme Court’s dismissal, the State Government’s decision stands, and Mushtaq is set to inaugurate the celebrations.