'Chamundi Hills not just for Hindus': All about Mysuru Dasara row and politics over Chamundeshwari

The controversy stems from an old video of Banu Mushtaq from the 2023 Jana Sahitya Sammelan

A political controversy has erupted in Karnataka after the Congress government invited Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the upcoming Mysuru Dasara festival.

While the BJP has questioned the state government’s decision, the ruling Congress defended its decision.

Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday further fueled the controversy by saying that Chamundi Hills and the Goddess Chamundeshwari “belong to all communities and not just Hindus”.

“Chamundi Hills and the Goddess Chamundeshwari belong to all communities. It is not the property of Hindus alone. People from every community go there, offer prayers, and follow their beliefs. I myself visit churches, mosques, Jain temples, and gurdwaras. Has anyone ever stopped me? Likewise, have we ever stopped others from visiting Hindu temples?” he said.

Significance of Mysuru Dasara

Mysuru Dasara is celebrated as a 10-day festival in Mysuru. Chamundeshwari temple is atop Chamundi Hills which is 13 km away from Mysuru. In the earlier days, the hill was identified as ‘Mahabaladri’ in honour of God Shiva who resides in the ‘Mahabaleswara Temple’.

The festival dates to the 16th century. It was initiated by the Vijayanagara Dynasty. In 1610, Raja Wadiyar revived the celebrations. According to Hindu mythology, it commemorates the triumph of Goddess Chamundeshwari over the demon Mahishasura, after whom Mysuru (formerly Mysore) is named. The Goddess is believed to be an incarnation of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.

The origin of Chamunda Devi is mentioned in Devi Mahatmya and Markandeya Purana. The story goes that when Goddess Durga was involved in a war with demons Munda and Chanda, Kali Devi materialised from her forehead and killed the asuras. Delighted with Kali, Durga named her Chamunda.

Why is BJP upset about inviting Mushtaq?

The controversy stems from an old video from the 2023 Jana Sahitya Sammelana when Mushtaq had said the appropriation of Kannada as Goddess Bhuvaneshwari draped in yellow and red, the colours of turmeric and vermilion, was “exclusionary” to people like her (minorities).

BJP leaders C T Ravi and Pratap Simha said she may lead literary events but not religious rituals, citing doubts about her faith. Meanwhile, former BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal said Mushtaq must clarify her beliefs before presiding over the pooja.

BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje said that the invitation to Banu should be revoked as she did not believe in the Hindu faith and did not accept the yellow and red colours of the Kannada flag.

Meanwhile, BJP’s Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said he has no objection to Mushtaq inaugurating the Dasara festival.

Yaduveer, who is also the scion of the erstwhile royal family of Mysuru, said he would welcome the government’s decision if Mushtaq has respect for Goddess Chamundeshwari and would not offend the religious feelings of the people. “The guests who are invited should also accommodate certain beliefs, have a viewpoint that is Bharatiya in nature and want to encourage and not be opposed to the ideals and the beliefs that create the background of this festival that has been celebrated by our state for many, many hundreds of years,” he said.

Congress stays firm

The BJP’s Karnataka unit attacked Shivakumar on X, accusing the Congress of targeting sacred Hindu spaces. “After Dharmasthala, Congress has set its sights on the abode of the state deity Chamundi Devi! To please the Congress high command, DCM @DKShivakumar has declared that Chamundi Hill does not belong to Hindus,” the party said, adding that Congress was bound to “perish in the state in the coming days.”

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara had earlier underscored that it is a state festival and the government will invite everyone, cautioning not to bring religion into it.

"In the past, Nissar Ahmad inaugurated festivities in Mysuru. Mirza Ismail was Diwan of Mysuru. Opposing it is not right. This is a state festival. We don't need to bring religion into it. Many think it's a religious event but it's a state festival. Why are you mixing religion into this? Should it be held by excluding one community," Parameshwara told NDTV.

On Tuesday, Mushtaq affirmed her respect for the festival and Goddess Chamundeshwari. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, after receiving felicitation from the Hassan District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Mushtaq said her statement has been distorted by making selective parts of her old speech viral.

(With inputs from agencies)