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HJS demands withdrawal of Government’s Invitation to Smt. Banu Mushtaq for Dussehra 2025

The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), through its Karnataka State Spokesperson Sri Mohan Gowda, has issued a legal notice to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri Siddaramaiah, and to the Principal Secretary, of the Kannada and Culture Department.

This notice strongly objects to the unconstitutional and anti-culturalal decision of the state government to invite Smt. Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the sacred Mysuru Dussehra Mahotsava – 2025.

Key Objections

1. The Mysuru Dussehra is not merely a cultural program but a Hindu dharmic festival, traditionally inaugurated with Deeparadhane, Pushparchane, Kumkum, Arishina, followed by a pooja of Goddess Chamundeshwari/Bhuvaneshwari Devi.

2. The Kannada language itself is revered as Devi Bhuvaneshwari (Kannadamma) and has been accorded the status of a Shastriya Bhashe (Classical Language).

3. In her earlier speeches at public forums in 2023, Smt. Banu Mushtaq mocked the association of Kannada with Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, ridiculed the sacred Hindu practice of applying Arashina & Kumkum, and openly opposed idol worship.

4. Despite widespread outrage at these derogatory remarks, she has not issued an apology.

5. It is highly objectionable that the state government is ignoring these facts and is inviting her to inaugurate the festival and is even honouring her with a ₹10 lakh award.

Our Demands

  • Immediately withdraw the invitation extended to Smt. Banu Mushtaq.
  • Alternatively, issue a written assurance that the inauguration will be conducted strictly according to Hindu dharmic traditions without any lapses.
  • Ensure that the sanctity of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, the Kannada language, and Karnataka’s cultural heritage is preserved.

Warning to the Government

If these demands are not met within seven days, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti will be left with no other option but to approach the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka under constitutional provisions and initiate criminal as well as public interest proceedings against this unconstitutional decision.

The government must remember that Dussehra is a sacred Hindu festival, not a political platform. Any attempt to insult Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, Kannadamma, or Hindu traditions will not be tolerated.

Mysuru Dasara is Karnataka’s grandest cultural and religious festival, symbolizing devotion, tradition, and heritage for crores of Hindus. During Navaratri, Hindus worship Goddess Kali, Mahalakshmi, and Saraswati for nine days, culminating on the tenth day with the victory celebration of Goddess Chamundeshwari.

Therefore, the person chosen to inaugurate such a sacred festival should be someone who has faith in the Goddess, respects idol worship, and holds devotion toward the presiding deity of this land. However, the Government has invited Banu Mushtaq—who has openly declared that she does not believe the deity Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, and who in the past sided with Muslims during the Datta Peetha controversy. Such a choice gravely hurts the sentiments of Hindus.

Renowned author Dr. S. L. Bhyrappa, recipient of India’s highest literary honours and the Padma Bhushan, is the most deserving personality to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara celebrations this year. His towering contribution to literature and philosophy has earned him immense respect across the nation. Why then has the Government ignored such an eminent son of Karnataka?

In this context, one must question: Why should we remain subservient to foreign recognitions like the Booker Prize? India’s literary heritage is vast and profound, and our own awards and institutions carry equal—if not greater—value.

If the Government’s intent is merely to showcase international recognition, then will it have the courage to invite Salman Rushdie, also a Booker Prize winner, to inaugurate Dasara? Why then this selective choice in favor of only Banu Mushtaq?

Therefore, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti strongly urges the Government to immediately withdraw its decision to invite Banu Mushtaq and instead honor stalwarts like Dr. S. L. Bhyrappa to inaugurate this sacred festival. Only such a decision will respect the sentiments of crores of Hindus across Karnataka.

‘Rashtra Rakshan Sena’ activists giving a statement to Banu Mushtaq

‘Rashtra Rakshan Sena’ activists called on Banu Mushtaq on September 3 and requested her to withdraw from the Dussehra inauguration program of her own accord owing to her earlier offensive statements on Bhuvaneshwari Devi.

Subsequently on the evening of September 3, the Hassan district administration visited Banu Mushtaq’s house and officially invited her to inaugurate the festival on behalf of the government.

‘I will worship the goddess according to Hindu religion!’ – Banu Mushtaq’s assurance

‘Rashtra Rakshan Sena’ President Suresh Gowda said that on September 1, we held a press conference in this matter and publicly appealed to Banu Mushtaq not to accept the invitation to the Mysuru Dasara festival. Then on the morning of September 3, we met her and she assured us that ‘I will worship according to Hindu practices’.

Earlier, ‘Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti’ had demanded that the government should reconsider its decision to invite Banu Mushtaq. A statement in this regard was submitted to the District Collector here.

Banu Mushtaq is an opportunist! – Hindu Janajagruti Samiti

Karnataka State Spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Mr Mohan Gowda reacted to this development and said that it is good that Banu Mushtaq ‘has shown the willingness to worship the Goddess as per Hindu customs. However, in the ‘Karnataka Sahitya Sammelan’, she had insulted Shri Bhuvaneshwari Mata, the Naad-devata of 6 people Kannada people. She had also made an anti-Hindu demand to allow Muslims to enter the Datta Peeth of Hindus. Will she publicly apologise to the Hindus in this matter? If she does not do so, then this shows Banu Mushtaq is an opportunist. This is a conspiracy to hurt our religious sentiments. The Mysore Dussehra festival should be inaugurated by those who actually practice Hindu Dharma.

Read more on Anti HindusHindu Janajagruti SamitiPress Release

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