Supreme Court Upholds Mysuru Dasara's Choice: Booker Winner's Invitation Stands

In a move that has reaffirmed the autonomy of cultural celebrations, the Supreme Court of India has decisively dismissed a petition challenging the invitation extended to renowned Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq (the celebrated Kannada novelist S.L. Bhyrappa) to inaugurate the iconic Mysuru Dasara Utsav 2024.

This ruling clears the path for Bhyrappa to commence one of Karnataka's most grand and historic festivals, putting an end to a legal challenge that sought to entangle a cultural event in judicial scrutiny.

A bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Sanjay Karol firmly upheld the Karnataka High Court's prior decision, stating unequivocally, "Dasara is not a place for this." This succinct yet powerful observation underscored the judiciary's reluctance to intervene in matters pertaining to cultural festivities and the selection of personalities for honorary roles.

The controversy first erupted when the Karnataka government announced its decision to invite S.L.

Bhyrappa, a literary giant and recipient of the Padma Bhushan, to inaugurate the nine-day spectacle. While Bhyrappa is celebrated for his profound contributions to Kannada literature, petitioners, including the Jagadguru Sri Renukacharya Education Trust and others, raised objections, citing past controversial remarks allegedly made by the author.

They contended that inviting someone accused of making divisive statements would contravene the essence of Dasara, a festival historically associated with peace, harmony, and cultural unity.

The petitioners, represented by counsel, passionately argued that Bhyrappa's alleged history of hate speech and comments against communal harmony made him an unsuitable choice for an event that draws millions and symbolizes the rich heritage of Karnataka.

They posited that allowing him to inaugurate the festival would send a wrong message and potentially incite disharmony.

However, both the Karnataka High Court and subsequently the Supreme Court remained unswayed by these arguments. The High Court had initially dismissed the petition, paving the way for the state government's decision to stand.

The Supreme Court, in its brief but resolute hearing, questioned the very premise of the challenge. Justice Narasimha reportedly inquired about the petitioners' locus standi in determining who should inaugurate a state-sponsored cultural event and highlighted the imminent nature of the festival. The bench emphasized that such matters of cultural choice and tradition are best left outside the purview of the courts, especially when there is no direct infringement of fundamental rights or clear legal transgression.

The Mysuru Dasara Utsav is a monumental annual event, steeped in tradition and attracting global attention.

Its inaugural ceremony is a moment of immense pride, typically led by a distinguished personality whose presence lends gravitas to the proceedings. The state government's decision to invite Bhyrappa was seen as an honor for his literary accomplishments. The Supreme Court's dismissal effectively validates this choice and reinforces the principle that cultural institutions and events should generally be free from judicial entanglement over subjective choices of honorees, unless a grave legal or constitutional issue is at stake.

This ruling serves as a significant affirmation for cultural bodies and governments in their right to select individuals for ceremonial roles based on merit and tradition, free from speculative legal challenges that might seek to politicize or halt such significant public events.

As Mysuru prepares for its grand celebrations, the stage is now set for S.L. Bhyrappa to inaugurate the Dasara Utsav, marking a victory for cultural autonomy and the spirit of celebration over legal contention.