Banu Mushtaq, the first author to win the International Booker Prize writing in Kannada, has found herself at the heart of a political controversy following her invitation to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festival in Karnataka. The state's Congress government made the announcement, stirring criticism from opposition leaders in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who question her participation in a predominantly Hindu event due to her Muslim background.
The Mysuru Dasara, often viewed as a celebration for all communities, is a significant cultural event in Karnataka. Yet, the invitation to Mushtaq has raised concerns among some BJP members, who feel that her association with the festival could compromise its religious integrity. Despite the backlash, Mushtaq expressed her honor in receiving the invitation, sharing her personal memories of participating in the festival as a child.
The controversy deepened as some BJP leaders cited previous comments made by Mushtaq regarding the Hindu goddess Bhuvaneshwari, raising doubts about her reverence towards deities central to the festival. However, the deputy chief minister of Karnataka has defended the decision, emphasizing the inclusive ethos of the Dasara celebrations.
The festival, held annually for over a decade, has been a platform for all cultures and faiths. Mushtaq’s selection as an inaugurator aligns with a broader narrative that challenges the notion of exclusivity in cultural festivities, particularly in a state witnessing a growing intersection of politics and religion.
This situation reflects a larger discourse on the need to maintain secularism in communal celebrations, a theme echoed by many local poets and writers who stress the importance of keeping Karnataka's cultural practices open and accepting.
