Supreme Court To Hear Plea Against Karnataka Govt Inviting Booker Prize Winner Banu Mushtaq For Dasara Festival

A petition has been filed against the Karnataka High Court's judgment which approved the decision of the State Government to invite Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq as the Chief Guest for Dasara festival celebration inauguration at the Chamundi temple, Mysuru.

Advocate Sughosh Subramanyam, the counsel for the petitioner HS Gourav, mentioning the matter before the Chief Justice of India for urgent listing,  submitted, "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." 

 He sought a listing for tomorrow, saying that the event is on September 22. CJI BR Gavai agreed to list it tomorrow.

The Karnataka High Court, on September 15, dismissed the petitions challenging the State's decision to invite Banu Mushtaq, whose anthology in the Kannada language, published in English as "Heart Lamp", won the International Booker Prize award last May. 

“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,” the High Court said.

The High Court observed that the invitation of Banu Mushtaq did not violate any of the Constitutional values. The High Court noted that she was an accomplished author, a lawyer and a social activist.  

The Petitioners had argued that it would not be appropriate for Banu to participate in Hindu religious rituals, including lighting of a sacred lamp, offering fruits and flowers to the deity and chanting Vedic prayers. Such practices can only be performed by a Hindu, they argued.

The State on the other hand submitted that it's a function organised by the State, not by any temple or religious institution, and as such there can be no discrimination on the ground of Religion.

The High Court noted that undisputedly, the festivities are organized by the State every year and accomplished persons like scientists, educationists, authors and freedom fighters have been invited in the past.

It also noted that the decision to invite Mushtaq was taken by a Committee that comprised of elected representatives from various parties and various Government officials. It thus said,