Mysuru (Karnataka), Sep 22 (NationPress) Booker Prize laureate Banu Mushtaq officially kicked off the renowned Mysuru Dusshera celebrations on Monday by presenting floral offerings to Goddess Chamundeshwari at the summit of Chamundi Hill. Adorned in a vibrant yellow and green silk saree, with flowers woven into her braid, she participated in prayers and traditional rituals alongside Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The state government implemented special security measures due to opposition from BJP leaders and Hindu activists regarding Mushtaq’s inauguration. Access to the temple was granted only to pass-holders, with general devotees restricted until noon.

Banu Mushtaq conducted the Dusshera inauguration during the auspicious Vrushcika Lagna between 10:10 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. Subsequently, she received accolades from temple officials, who adorned her with a garland and presented her with a Mysuru peta (traditional headgear).

Before the inauguration, she engaged in special prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari at the temple, seeking blessings alongside Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, cabinet ministers, and other dignitaries. She appeared emotionally moved during the rituals, seen wiping tears toward the conclusion.

Mushtaq also participated in extensive worship of Goddess Chamundeshwari, standing prominently before the sanctum sanctorum. She was presented with another garland and a saree.

In a show of reverence, Banu Mushtaq joined Siddaramaiah and other dignitaries in receiving the ‘Mangalarati’, folding her hands in devotion before the deity.

Meanwhile, Minister for Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadgi criticized the BJP, asserting they lacked genuine work and were attempting to sow discord within the state. He claimed that the Congress government’s implementation of five guarantees had led to public satisfaction, prompting the BJP to divert attention to religious controversies.

The selection of Banu Mushtaq for the Dusshera inauguration faced scrutiny in both the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court of India. The Karnataka High Court dismissed three petitions from former BJP MP Pratap Simha and others, which sought to challenge the Congress-led government’s decision.

Pratap Simha's petition followed the state government's invitation to Mushtaq for the Dusshera inauguration, despite opposition. He argued that floral tributes should be exclusively offered to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, emphasizing the traditional customs involving Vedic recitations, mantra chanting, and religious rituals, and accused Mushtaq of being anti-Hindu.

Last Friday, the Supreme Court rejected a petition requesting a stay on the Congress-led government’s decision to allow Mushtaq to inaugurate the historic and globally recognized Dussehra festival in Mysuru.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta found the arguments unimpressive, asserting that a non-Hindu individual cannot be barred from performing pujas, especially since Mushtaq had made controversial statements in the past that could be perceived as disrespectful to religious sentiments. Siddaramaiah welcomed the Supreme Court's decision.