SC to hear plea against Banu’s Dasara invite

The Supreme Court islikely to hear on Friday a petition challenging the Karnataka government's decision to invite Booker Prizewinning writer Banu Mushtaq as the chief guest for the inauguration of the historic Dasara festival in Mysuru on September 22.

- Utkarsh Anand

On Thursday, advocate Sughosh Subramanyam mentioned the matter before Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai, seeking urgent listing, given that the inauguration is just days away. “This is a challenge to the Karnataka government's decision to invite a non-Hindu for inaugurating the Dasara festival. The event is scheduled for September 22 and that is why we are requesting for an urgent hearing,” the lawyer submitted. The CJI indicated that the case would be listed on Friday (September 19).

The petition by HS Gaurav comes in the wake of the Karnataka high court's dismissal of a batch of three similar public interest litigations (PILs) earlier this week, including one filed by Gaurav and another by BJP MP Pratap Simha, who opposed Mushtaq’s selection on grounds of faith and alleged past remarks.