The world-famous Mysuru Dasara celebrations have long been regarded as a proud cultural and religious festival of Karnataka. Rooted in devotion to Goddess Chamundeshwari, the event draws millions of devotees and tourists each year. But this year, the focus has shifted away from tradition to controversy after the Karnataka Congress government decided to invite Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the festival.
The decision has sparked widespread anger among Hindus and opposition parties, particularly the BJP, who argue that inviting someone who has expressed controversial views on Hindu traditions is an insult to the sanctity of Dasara. Matters escalated further when Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made a shocking remark claiming that Chamundi Hills and its temple were not the property of Hindus alone. His words have ignited a storm of criticism, with many accusing the Congress government of once again attempting to undermine Hindu traditions in the name of secularism.
Shobha Karandlaje Hits Back at Congress
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje was one of the first to respond sharply to the Congress government’s move. In a strongly worded post, she declared that temples are not “secular places” but sacred Hindu institutions. She accused DK Shivakumar of deliberately downplaying Hindu sentiments to appease his party high command and maintain a so-called secular image.
“Those who keep preaching about secularism must realize Temples are not ‘secular spaces’, they are sacred institutions that rightfully belong to Hindus,” Karandlaje said, adding that Congress has repeatedly shown its anti-Hindu mindset.
Her remarks highlight a growing sentiment among Hindus that the Congress government in Karnataka is systematically targeting Hindu festivals and traditions.
BJP, Royal Family, and Public Anger
The backlash against DK Shivakumar’s statement has been widespread. Leader of Opposition R Ashoka lashed out, saying Chamundi Hills is undoubtedly Hindu property and cannot be redefined for political appeasement. He warned Congress of a strong public uprising if attempts were made to dilute the identity of Hindu temples.
Mysuru MP and royal scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar also condemned Shivakumar’s statement, calling it “utterly condemnable” and reminding the government that Chamundi Betta is a Shakti Peetha sanctified by Shastras and revered by crores of Hindus. “The temple was, is, and will always remain Hindu property,” Wadiyar asserted, echoing the feelings of countless devotees.
The BJP has further pointed out the hypocrisy in inviting Banu Mushtaq while ignoring Deepa Bhasthi, the translator of her work, who equally shared the honor of winning the International Booker Prize. BJP state president BY Vijayendra openly questioned why only Mushtaq was given the honor, suggesting the Congress government is more interested in appeasement politics than genuine recognition of talent or tradition.
Congress Government’s Track Record of Insulting Hindu Sentiments
This controversy comes on the heels of another major embarrassment for the Karnataka Congress. Just weeks ago, the state government tried to malign the sacred Dharmasthala temple, trusting a masked man who made bizarre claims that hundreds of bodies of women had been cremated near the temple. That narrative quickly collapsed after being exposed as a complete hoax, but not before Congress leaders had attempted to use it to tarnish the temple’s reputation.
Now, with the Dasara controversy, critics argue that Congress is continuing its pattern of disrespecting Hindu institutions. By inviting a figure like Banu Mushtaq, who has in the past expressed reservations about worshipping Kannada language as Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, the government has once again shown insensitivity towards Hindu beliefs.
Instead of celebrating Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage, the Congress government seems determined to politicize sacred festivals, leading to outrage among devotees.
A Festival Hijacked by Politics
Dasara has always been more than just a festival; it is a symbol of Karnataka’s spiritual and cultural identity. By inviting someone with controversial views to inaugurate the festivities and by making reckless statements such as claiming Chamundi temple is not exclusively Hindu, the Congress government has deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees.
The attempt to redefine a Hindu religious celebration into a so-called “secular event” is nothing short of an assault on faith and tradition. This pattern of behavior—whether in defaming Dharmasthala temple with baseless accusations or now in undermining Chamundi temple’s sanctity—reflects a dangerous agenda of appeasement politics.
The people of Karnataka deserve a government that respects their traditions, not one that repeatedly insults them. As outrage grows, one thing is clear: Dasara belongs to the devotees of Goddess Chamundeshwari, not to political games. If Congress continues down this path, the backlash from the people of Karnataka may be far stronger than they anticipate.