Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is defending his decision to invite Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year's Mysuru Dasara festival, emphasizing that the event is secular and inclusive. He rebuffed criticism from the BJP, labeling objectors as "religious fanatics" who are ignorant of history.

Siddaramaiah clarified that Dasara is a "Nada Habba" (state festival), celebrated by people of all faiths, including Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jains, and Buddhists. He stated that it is not necessary for the festival to be inaugurated by someone of a particular religion or community. The Chief Minister noted that the Dasara High Power Committee authorized him to select the inaugurator, and he deemed Mushtaq, a distinguished Kannada writer, as the appropriate choice, considering her International Booker Prize win.

The Chief Minister recalled that in the past, poet K.S. Nisar Ahmed, a Muslim, had also inaugurated Dasara. He further added that even during times when there was no rule of the Maharajas, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan celebrated Dasara, as did Dewan Mirza Ismail. Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of making statements for political reasons and not speaking from a secular perspective. He dismissed claims that Mushtaq disrespected Kannada with alleged statements against Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, asking if she would be able to write in Kannada if she did not have respect, pride, and admiration for the language.

The controversy began after an old video resurfaced of Mushtaq questioning the practice of worshipping Kannada as Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, which some considered exclusionary to minorities. Some BJP leaders and Mysuru royal family members have demanded that Mushtaq publicly affirm her reverence for Goddess Chamundeshwari before inaugurating the festivities. Mushtaq has dismissed the allegations, stating that her speech was distorted and only selective excerpts were circulated on social media.

Siddaramaiah also dismissed the BJP's claim that Mushtaq eats beef, calling it "hypocritical talk". He pointed out that the government has already honored both Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthi, the translator of Mushtaq's award-winning work "Heart Lamp," by awarding ₹10 lakh to each.

The 11-day Dasara festival is set to begin on September 22 with a traditional pooja to Goddess Chamundeshwari at Chamundi Hills in Mysuru. The city typically attracts a large number of tourists from around the world during the Dasara season.