Supreme Court Upholds Karnataka's Invitation to Banu Mushtaq for Mysuru Dasara

The Supreme Court has rejected a plea challenging Karnataka's decision to invite Banu Mushtaq, an International Booker Prize winner, to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara celebrations. The court posed a critical question about how the state could distinguish between individuals in such matters.

The petitioner raised concerns about the secular nature of the inauguration, noting the involvement of religious activities, but the court classified it as a state event. The bench, referencing a similar 2017 incident, questioned the petitioner's consistency in their arguments.

Despite claims that Mushtaq's presence inside temple premises could undermine religious freedoms under Article 25, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision in favor of Karnataka's invitation, emphasizing the secular nature of the Dasara inauguration.

(With inputs from agencies.)