Mysuru/New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a petition that challenges the Karnataka Government’s decision to invite Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq as the chief guest for the inauguration of the Dasara festival at Chamundi Temple, Mysuru.
The matter arose after the Karnataka High Court, on 15 September, dismissed petitions that had opposed the government’s invitation of Mushtaq. Among the petitioners’ grievances was that Mushtaq, being a non-Hindu, should not perform Agra Puja, which includes lighting a sacred lamp, offering fruits and flowers, and chanting Vedic prayers, at the temple as part of the Dasara inaugural ceremony.
The High Court, however, held that “Participation of a person practising a particular faith or religion, in celebrations of festivals of other religion does not offend the rights available under the Constitution of India.” It also observed that inviting Mushtaq did not violate any constitutional values.
The Court noted that Mushtaq is an “accomplished author, a lawyer and a social activist.” The state government, for its part, argued that the Dasara function is organized by the state and not by the temple or a religious institution, and thus the invitation could not be considered discriminatory on the basis of religion. A further point noted by the High Court is that the decision to invite Ms. Mushtaq was taken by a Committee composed of elected representatives from various political parties and government officials.
The petition before the Supreme Court seeks urgent listing, as the Dasara inauguration is scheduled for September 22. The counsel for the petitioner insisted on urgency, saying: “This is a plea against the Karnataka Government’s decision to allow a non-Hindu to perform Agra Puja at the Chamundeshwari Temple for the inauguration of Dasara in Mysuru.”
Chief Justice of India BR Gavai has agreed to list the petition on September 19.
