The Mysuru Dasara is a call for peace, not hate

Booker Prize-winning Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq set the tone for Mysuru’s grand Dasara celebrations as she inaugurated the Nada Habba atop the Chamundeshwari Temple. Addressing the gathering, Mushtaq said, “Culture bridges hearts; it seeks to spread love, not hate. This land has taught me that all lives must be respected. As the world surges ahead on a warpath, Mysuru Dasara is a call for peace and harmony.” She added, “In this Sarvajanangada Shantiya Thota (peaceful garden of all communities), let every flower bloom in its own hue, let every bird sing in its own tune — together creating a symphony of unity.”

The controversy behind her invitation

Banu Mushtaq’s selection to inaugurate the 2025 Mysuru Dasara had sparked significant debate, with critics questioning her participation in a Hindu religious event. Petitions were filed against the decision, but the Karnataka High Court — later upheld by the Supreme Court — ruled that the festival was open to all, reaffirming India’s secular spirit and the inclusive nature of state functions.