By Muhammed Fazil,South First Desk
Copyright thesouthfirst
International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq inaugurates Mysuru Dasara
She inaugurated the festivities despite facing resistance from right-wing outfits, including the BJP, since she belonged to a different faith.
Synopsis: International Booker Prize-winning writer Banu Mushtaq inaugurated the world-famous Mysuru Dasara Mahotsava 2025. She inaugurated the festivities despite facing resistance from right-wing outfits, including the BJP, since she belonged to a different faith.
International Booker Prize-winning writer Banu Mushtaq, on Monday, 22 September, inaugurated the world-famous Mysuru Dasara Mahotsava 2025.
During the Vrischika Lagna at the Chamundi Hills, Mushtaq offered floral prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari, thus launching the Dasara festivities. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also offered flowers to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari.
She inaugurated the festivities despite facing resistance from right-wing outfits, including the BJP, since she belonged to a different faith.
“We inaugurated the Dasara festival with the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari. My close friend once told me she would take me to Chamundi Hill. But today, Goddess Chamundeshwari herself has called me here. Though some opposition voices were raised, the goddess has brought me here. I stand before you under her grace, and this is the greatest honour of my life,” Mushtaq said.
“This is the festival of our land’s culture and harmony. Every person born on this soil has the eligibility to participate. This is a festival that includes everyone,” she added.
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Bows to the deity
Mushtaq arrived for the inauguration wearing jasmine flowers in her hair, while her family members came dressed traditionally in sarees with flowers, giving a cultural touch.
At the temple premises, Mushtaq bowed to the deity and received the mangalarati. Earlier, BJP leaders had mocked her, asking, “Will she even accept mangalarati or fold her hands in prayer?”
“One of my close relatives, who was like an uncle to me, lived here in Belagola. He served as a soldier in the Maharaja’s personal guard. Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar trusted a Muslim and included him in his personal guard. My religious beliefs have taught me the values of humanity. They have taught me to respect everyone. This festival is a garden of peace for all communities. Let us respect and honour all,” Mushtaq said.
“May the flowers of this land bloom in unity. May all hatred and intolerance within us disappear. May the lamp lit here spread peace, patience, and justice for all humanity across the world.
May this light brighten the entire world. This land’s tradition says it is a universal garden of peace. Every flower should bloom in its soil. But when they come together, all must unite.
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‘Earth never throws anyone out’
She said we are all travellers under the same sky and that the Earth never throws anyone out, but it is man who draws boundaries.
“These divisions must be erased. We must win not through wealth, but through knowledge and letters. Krishnaraja Wadiyar was a king of social justice. He did not show discrimination. He said that power would last long if shared,” Mushtaq said.
“I am a writer and author. I convey messages through literature. Ten years ago, I wrote a book called Bagina. Let us build a society of love where equal share and equal dignity exist for all. I have lit hundreds of lamps. We have performed flower offerings. I have accepted the Mangalarati,” she added.
“My relationship with the Hindu faith is written in my autobiography. It will be published soon. Despite challenges, the CM and district administration invited me courageously and gave me moral support, for which I thank them,” Mushtaq said.
Mysuru district in-charge minister HC Mahadevappa, ministers HK Patil, Shivaraj Tangadagi, Venkatesh, along with MLAs Tanveer Sait, GT Devegowda, and several officials were present for the function.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Nolan Patrick Pinto.)
