File photo of Booker prize-2025 winner Banu Mushtaq
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Supreme Court on Friday (September 19, 2025) dismissed a petition challenging the Karnataka government’s invite to Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to participate in the Mysuru Dasara festivities and Agrahara puja in the Chamundeshwari temple.
Justice Vikram Nath asked the petitioner, H.S. Gaurav, whether he has read the Preamble of the Constitution which enshrines the ideals of equality, fraternity and secularism.
Karnataka High Court allows Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara
The High Court of Karnataka on September 15 declined to interfere with the State Government’s decision to invite writer and activist Banu Mushtaq, whose collection of Kannada short stories translated to English won the international Booker award 2025, to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festival, which begins on September 22
| Video Credit:
The Hindu
Justice Nath pointed out that the event was conducted by the Karnataka government. The Karnataka High Court had earlier dismissed batch of petitions, including one by Mr. Gaurav, against the invite to Ms. Mushtaq.
Earlier on August 22, Karnataka government said Booker prize-2025 winner Banu Mushtaq will inaugurate the Dasara festivities atop Chamundi Hill in Mysuru on September 22.
Speaking in Bengaluru, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah noted that Ms. Musthtaq has involved herself in farmers’ struggles, several progressive movements and fought for the cause of Kannada.
The writer, who is also a lawyer, won the Booker for her translated short story collection “Heart Lamp.”
Published – September 19, 2025 01:02 pm IST
