Only Religious Fanatics Oppose Banu Mushtaq At Dasara Festivities: CM
Calling those opposing the decision "bigots who don't know history," Siddaramaiah pointed out that the festival had been celebrated under Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan, and Diwan Mirza Ismail
BENGALURU: In an effort to put an end to the row over International Booker Prize-2025 winner Banu Musthaq, a Muslim, chosen to Mysore Dasara festivities especially by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said “There is no binding that a person from a particular religion should inaugurate the festivities” and pointed out noted poet Nisar Ahmed, a Muslim, had inaugurated Dasara festivities in 2017.
Terming the Banu Musthaq choice as ‘apt’ to inaugurate Dasara festivities, the Chief Minister said the Dasara festivities celebrated as ‘State Fest’ in Karnataka and ‘State Fest’ is for all. Moreover, “Not many writers from Karnataka have won Booker Prize and Banu Musthaq won Booker Prize-2025 and was selected by me to open Dasara festivities after a high-level committee on Dasara had entrusted with the task of selecting a dignitary to open Dasara.”
Taking a dig at BJP leaders over their opposition to Banu Musthaq, he said, “Only religious fanatics oppose the selection of International Booker Prize-2025 winner Banu Musthaq to inaugurate Mysore Dasara festivities on September 22 atop Chamundi Hills in Mysuru.” Siddaramaiah said “Religious fanatics oppose her choice since they are unaware of history and wanted those opposing Banu Musthaq to learn from history about the conduct of Dasara festivities in the past. Chief Minister pointed out Dasara festivities were conducted when erstwhile Mysore Kingdom was ruled by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan (Muslims). Later, Dasara festivities were conducted during Maharajas of Mysore when Sir Mirza Ismail, a Muslim, was the Dewan of erstwhile Mysore Kingdom.
Referring to history, the Chief Minister said “Dasara festivities are celebrated by one and all including Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and Jains.” Over the criticism that writer Deepa Basthi ignored by the State Government, the Chief Minister said Deepa Basthi who translated Banu Musthaq’s anthology into English from Kannada has been rewarded with a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh along with Banu Musthaq.
