New Delhi: The Karnataka high court on Monday (September 15) dismissed a plea filed by former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Mysore Pratap Simha against the state government’s invitation to International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq for the inauguration of the 2025 Dasara festivities on September 22.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi, dismissed Simha’s plea on Monday. Representing the state, advocate general, K. Shashikiran Shetty said that the invitation to Banu Mushtaq did not violate the rights of anyone, reported Indian Express.

Shetty further argued that Dasara is a celebration of good over evil and is celebrated by all the people of the state.

Former BJP MP Simha had filed the petition on September 6, seeking a writ of mandamus directing the Karnataka Government to withdraw the invitation extended to Banu Mushtaq.

Simha had said in his petition that the inaugural event of Dasara involved offering floral tributes to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, and the recital of the Vedas. He had accused Mushtaq of being “anti-Hindu” and said that the author was “not fit to open the event.”

Earlier, Mushtaq had dismissed the BJP’s rabble rousing over her role in inaugurating the Mysuru Dasara celebrations and termed the government’s invitation an opportunity to fulfil the vow to the Goddess Chamundeshwari.

Mushtaq had recalled how her friend and fellow writer Meena Mysuru had prayed to Chamundeshwari 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. Why should I react to the negativity of a few? People themselves are replying to those comments,” Mushtaq had said.

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