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News Topical, Digital Desk : Politics has heated up over the start of the famous Dussehra festival in Karnataka. The state government invited Booker Prize-winning writer and social activist Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Dussehra festival in Mysore, but this decision has now become the cause of a political war between the Congress and the BJP.
Now Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje has strongly objected to the statement of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in which he said that the Chamundeshwari temple is not the property of Hindus alone. This statement has created a political storm.
Banu Mushtaq's book "Hridaya Deep" has won the Booker Prize this year. But the BJP had raised questions about her invitation, saying why was a Muslim writer chosen to inaugurate a Hindu religious festival?
Shobha Karandlaje's scathing attack
Shobha Karandlaje wrote on X, "DK Shivakumar's statement that the Chamundeshwari temple does not belong to Hindus is highly condemnable." She accused the Congress of being anti-Hindu and said the temple is not a "secular place" but a sacred institution of Hindus.
Karandlaje also said that the Congress' move reflects their "anti-Hindu mindset". He also questioned the invitation of Banu Mushtaq, asking if she believes in Hindu gods and goddesses?
In response, Shivakumar said, "Minorities also visit Hindu temples. We also visit mosques and churches. Who can stop this?" He also added that Dussehra is a festival of all communities and Chamundi Hill and Goddess Chamundeshwari belong to everyone, not just Hindus.
BJP raised questions about the invitation
Former BJP MP Pratap Simha said, "Dussehra is not a secular event but a religious festival. Does Banu Mushtaq believe in Chamundeshwari and follow our customs?"
Meanwhile, state BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra raised the question as to why the translator of Banu's book, Deepa Bhasti, who also participated in the Booker Prize, was not invited.
Banu Mushtaq responded to these allegations by saying that she respects Dussehra and Chamundeshwari. She said, "Calling Dussehra as Nada Habba (state festival) and calling Chamundeshwari as mother is part of our culture. I observe this festival with love and respect."
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