The Crossbill News Desk
International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq has brushed aside the Bharatiya Janata Party’s criticism over her selection to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara celebrations atop Chamundi Hill on September 22, describing the invitation as an opportunity to fulfil a personal vow to Goddess Chamundeshwari.
Speaking to The Hindu in Hassan, Mushtaq recalled how her friend and fellow writer Meena Mysuru had prayed to the Goddess when her book was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
“That visit didn’t happen then. Now, the government has offered me an opportunity to fulfil the vow by inviting me to inaugurate the Dasara celebrations,” she said.
Rejecting the political furore, she added: “Why should I react to the negativity of a few? People themselves are replying to those comments.”
The invitation, part of the state’s tradition of honouring distinguished Kannadigas, sparked sharp criticism from BJP leaders who questioned the choice on religious grounds, arguing that the government had picked someone “whose faith is uncertain” to preside over Karnataka’s most important cultural and religious event.
However, Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar distanced himself from the party’s stance, saying there was “no issue or disagreement with inviting Banu Mushtaq for the Dasara festivities,” Deccan Herald reported.
He added, “However, Dasara is a religious tradition. As long as the inauguration is done without harming this tradition and religious sentiment, we have no problem. If Banu Mushtaq says that she respects Mother Chamundi, our problem is solved.”
Mushtaq, in turn, praised Wadiyar’s balanced position.
“I wish the tribe of Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar grows in the BJP. He has given a clear statement on the issue with no ambiguity,” she told The Hindu, while stressing that politicians should know what not to politicise.
The Congress government has firmly defended its decision. Karnataka deputy chief minister D.K. Shivakumar told NDTV that Chamundi Hill and Dasara “do not belong to Hindus alone” and described the festival as inclusive.
“All communities, including Muslims, go to the hill to pray. Dasara is celebrated by all sections,” he said.
Public works minister Satish Jarkiholi went further, calling Mushtaq’s selection “a matter of pride” for the state that a Kannada writer had been chosen to inaugurate its flagship celebration.
For Mushtaq, the controversy is misplaced.
“I do not belong to any particular caste or religion. The state belongs to all Kannadigas,” she said, underlining her belief that Dasara should unite rather than divide.
Speaking to The Hindu in Hassan, Mushtaq recalled how her friend and fellow writer Meena Mysuru had prayed to the Goddess when her book was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
“That visit didn’t happen then. Now, the government has offered me an opportunity to fulfil the vow by inviting me to inaugurate the Dasara celebrations,” she said.
Rejecting the political furore, she added: “Why should I react to the negativity of a few? People themselves are replying to those comments.”
The invitation, part of the state’s tradition of honouring distinguished Kannadigas, sparked sharp criticism from BJP leaders who questioned the choice on religious grounds, arguing that the government had picked someone “whose faith is uncertain” to preside over Karnataka’s most important cultural and religious event.
However, Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar distanced himself from the party’s stance, saying there was “no issue or disagreement with inviting Banu Mushtaq for the Dasara festivities,” Deccan Herald reported.
He added, “However, Dasara is a religious tradition. As long as the inauguration is done without harming this tradition and religious sentiment, we have no problem. If Banu Mushtaq says that she respects Mother Chamundi, our problem is solved.”
Mushtaq, in turn, praised Wadiyar’s balanced position.
“I wish the tribe of Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar grows in the BJP. He has given a clear statement on the issue with no ambiguity,” she told The Hindu, while stressing that politicians should know what not to politicise.
The Congress government has firmly defended its decision. Karnataka deputy chief minister D.K. Shivakumar told NDTV that Chamundi Hill and Dasara “do not belong to Hindus alone” and described the festival as inclusive.
“All communities, including Muslims, go to the hill to pray. Dasara is celebrated by all sections,” he said.
Public works minister Satish Jarkiholi went further, calling Mushtaq’s selection “a matter of pride” for the state that a Kannada writer had been chosen to inaugurate its flagship celebration.
For Mushtaq, the controversy is misplaced.
“I do not belong to any particular caste or religion. The state belongs to all Kannadigas,” she said, underlining her belief that Dasara should unite rather than divide.
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