Karnataka govt.’s decision to invite Banu Mushtaq for Dasara inauguration opposed

A group of pro-Kannada activists staged a protest here on Friday demanding that the Karnataka government withdraw its decision to invite International Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Dasara festivities atop the Chamundi Hills.

Members of the Karnataka Sena Pade, who staged the demonstration outside the old Deputy Commissioner’s office in the city, warned that they would hold a black-flag demonstration on the day of Dasara if the government goes ahead with its decision.

In a statement, the organisation strongly objected to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s decision, which, they claimed, had hurt the sentiments of Hindus.

The organisation also condemned Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s reported remark that “Chamundi Hill is not the property of Hindus alone.”