High Court Petition Against Banu Mushtaq Officiating Dasara Celebrations in Karnataka Submitted Before the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a petition challenging the Karnataka High Court's decision regarding Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq's invitation as the Chief Guest for the Dussehra festivities.
The petition was mentioned before Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai for an urgent hearing. The hearing is scheduled for this Friday.
The Dussehra festivities, organised by the State every year, are set to take place in Karnataka on September 22. The event typically invites persons such as scientists, educationists, authors, and freedom fighters.
Banu Mushtaq, the respondent in the petition, is a 2025 Booker Prize winner and an accomplished author, lawyer, and social activist. She has served in various public offices, including the Hassan City Municipal Council, Chamarajendra Hospital's Visitor's Board, State Library Authority, Hassan District Samata Vedike, and Women's Development Forum.
The Karnataka High Court, in a previous ruling on September 15, rejected a batch of petitions claiming Mushtaq's participation would hurt sentiments due to her past 'anti-Hindu' statements. The High Court ruled that the participation of a person practicing a particular faith or religion in celebrations of festivals of other religions does not offend the rights available under the Constitution of India.
The High Court's ruling further stated that Mushtaq is an accomplished person and no guarantees recognised under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution are offended in the case. The extension of invitation to Mushtaq does not violate any values enshrined in the Constitution of India, according to the High Court.
The ruling was made by a Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court, consisting of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi. The petitions challenging Mushtaq's invitation were rejected by the same bench.
It is worth noting that there is no public information indicating that Mushtaq had previously been invited by another Indian region besides Karnataka to participate in a traditional celebration.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the petition, the Dussehra festivities continue to gather momentum in Karnataka, with Mushtaq's participation adding a unique flavour to the celebrations.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
