Prathap Simha’s remark on Banu Mushtaq’s choice for Dasara festivities invites Lad’s ire

BJP leader and former MP Prathap Simha has questioned the State government’s decision to invite Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year’s Dasara festivities atop Chamundi Hills in Mysuru.

This has attracted sharp criticism from Labour Minister Santosh Lad, who has questioned whether the Constitution had placed any restrictions on inviting Ms. Mushtaq or any person from a non-Hindu faith for the ceremonial role; he also launched a counter-attack on the former MP for trying to communalise the issue.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Sunday, Mr. Simha described Dasara as a “religious” tradition and not a “secular” event.

Pointing out that Ms. Mushtaq was a Muslim, Mr. Simha said the inauguration of Dasara function was carried out by offering puja to Goddess Chamundeshwari atop Chamundi Hills. As a Muslim, does Ms. Mushtaq have faith in Goddess Chamundeshwari, he questioned.

He recalled Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s earlier choice of writer Baragur Ramachandrappa who reportedly refused to enter the temple or offer puja to the deity. Mr. Simha charged that the Chief Minister was repeatedly trying to ruin the “religious” traditions of Dasara by inviting people who had no faith in Goddess Chamundeshwari.

However, the former MP made it clear that he had no objection to Ms. Mushtaq being made president of the next Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana.

Lad questions ex-MP

Taking serious exception to Mr. Simha’s statement, Mr. Lad shot back, “Is there any provision in the Constitution which says Banu Mushtaq should not be called to inaugurate Dasara? If we start objecting to everything on communal lines, where will it end?”

Speaking to presspersons at Sandur of Ballari district, he highlighted the contribution of the Muslim community and pointed out that the Azim Premji Foundation had donated over ₹2 lakh crore for public welfare.

“Who has been the highest donor in the country? Azim Premji has given lakhs of crores for the benefit of the poor. Do we question his religion before acknowledging his contribution?” Mr. Lad asked.

Drawing parallels with other national figures, the Minister reminded that A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, a Muslim, had served as President and was universally respected.

“Nobody opposed Kalam for being a Muslim; he was not anti-Hindu. Then how can anyone claim that Ms. Banu Mushtaq is anti-Hindu?” he remarked.

Mr. Lad further accused the BJP of adopting double standard on matters of faith and religious institutions. Referring to the controversy surrounding Dharmasthala, he said, “When the government constituted a Special Investigation Team in response to allegations, the BJP initially welcomed it. Now, they say it is an insult to a religious institution. This kind of duplicity only exposes their political agenda.”