The Karnataka government’s decision to have acclaimed writer Banu Mushtaq inaugurate this year’s world-famous Mysuru Dasara festival has sparked both celebration and controversy. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on social media that Mushtaq, a Booker Prize winner for her Kannada work Edeya Hanatege, will be formally invited by the district administration to open the state’s flagship cultural event.
Banu Mushtaq, author of Heart Lamp, is the first Kannada writer to have won the International Booker Prize in London. (Photo: Alberto Pezzali/AP )
Calling her a “progressive thinker” and someone deeply associated with the Kannada and farmers’ movements, the Chief Minister said the government was proud to honour her contributions by placing her at the forefront of the Dasara festivities.
“This time, the world-famous Mysuru Dasara festival will be inaugurated by the Booker Prize awardee, Ms. Banu Mushtaq, who will be respectfully invited on behalf of the district administration. Ms. Banu Mushtaq’s work, Edeya Hanatege, has received the Booker Prize, and it brings joy that a writer from Karnataka has been honored with this award. Associated with the farmers' movement and the Kannada movement, Ms. Banu Mushtaq is also a progressive thinker. By having her inaugurate Dasara, the government is honoring her achievements,” CM Siddaramaiah posted on X.
However, the announcement drew backlash online, with some social media users questioning the selection on communal grounds. On Saturday, Udupi district police confirmed they had registered two separate cases against individuals accused of posting provocative and communal content related to Mushtaq's selection, according to a report by The Indian Express. The posts reportedly attempted to stoke religious sentiments, prompting swift police action under relevant sections of the law.
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.
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