SC to hear plea against K'taka's invitation to Booker winner Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara

New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear a plea challenging the Karnataka government's decision to invite International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara this year.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran was urged that the festival will start on September 22 and the matter needed to be heard urgently.
"A non-Hindu has been allowed to perform Agreshwari puja at Mysuru temple on September 22 in Karnataka," a lawyer said, seeking an urgent hearing.  "Ok," the CJI said.
On September 15, the Karnataka High Court dismissed petitions challenging the state government's decision to invite Mushtaq to inaugurate the 'Mysuru Dasara' festivities.
The high court refused to entertain four PILs, including one filed by former BJP MP from Mysuru Pratap Simha, stating that the petitioners failed to demonstrate any constitutional or legal violation.
The appeal against the high court order was filed by HS Gaurav in the top court challenging the high court order upheld the state government's decision to invite Mushtaq, a woman Muslim dignitary, to inaugurate the Dasara festivities scheduled for September 22, 2025.
The plea assailed the high court's reasoning, saying the inaugural rituals of Dasara, which take place at the Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills, are not merely symbolic but constitute an essential religious practice protected under Article 25 of the Constitution of India.
The inauguration involves lighting of the ceremonial lamp, offering of kumkum, turmeric, fruits, and flowers before the sanctum sanctorum of Goddess Chamundeshwari.