Supreme Court dismisses plea challenging Karnataka government’s invitation to Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Dasara festival, affirming it as a state event and rejecting objections over religious concerns.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition challenging the Karnataka High Court’s decision to allow Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the 2025 Dasara festivities in Mysuru, scheduled for September 22, 2025.
The Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta made it clear that the State government’s invitation to Mushtaq, including participation in religious rituals at the Chamundeshwari Temple, does not violate constitutional provisions.
“This is a State program… how can the State distinguish between A, B and C?”
Justice Vikram Nath questioned the petitioner during the hearing, expressing frustration over repeated legal challenges. The petitioner, Sr. Advocate P.B. Suresh, argued that inviting Mushtaq violated Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees the freedom to practice religion. He claimed:
“Puja inside a temple isn’t a secular act, it’s religious. There are precedents… Statements have been made which, according to us, are against our religion.”
The Bench was firm in its dismissal:
“We have said dismissed three times, how many more times we have to say?”
High Court Judgment
The petitioners had earlier approached the Karnataka High Court, which upheld the State government’s decision on September 15. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi held that:
“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 emphasized that none of the guarantees recognized under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution were violated.
“The petitioner’s right to practice and propagate religion is not curtailed in any manner by extending invitation to respondent No.4 to inaugurate the Dasara festivities,”
the Court said.
State Government’s Stand
Advocate General K. Shashikiran Shetty opposed the petitioners’ arguments, highlighting that Mushtaq is an internationally acclaimed author invited to a state function. He noted:
“There could be no discrimination based on religion or caste. In 2017, late Kannada writer and poet Nisar Ahmed, who was non-Hindu, was invited to the same function, where the petitioner himself shared the stage.”
The AG also referenced a 2016 Karnataka government circular, mandating that temples under the State Department of Religious Endowments, as well as private temples, must allow free entry for all, irrespective of caste, community, religion, or gender.
Petitioners’ Concerns
Petitioner Pratap Simha and his counsel contended that the inauguration ceremony involves lighting the ceremonial lamp, offering prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari, and showering flowers, which are traditionally performed by Hindus. They argued that Mushtaq’s past statements were anti-Hindu and could hurt public sentiments.
The High Court, however, rejected these claims, stating that extending an invitation to a non-Hindu for a State function does not violate the constitutional or religious rights of anyone.
Case Title:
H.S. GAURAV V THE STATE OF KARNATAKA AND ORS.
SLP(C) No. 26999/2025
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