The Mysuru police in Karnataka Tuesday prevented two opposing teams from staging marches, sustaining regulation and order amid rising tensions over the latest controversy surrounding the invitation of Worldwide Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Dasara.
The Hindu Jagarana Vedike and allied right-wing organisations had deliberate a ‘Chamundi Hill Chalo’ march in protest in opposition to inviting Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Dasara and likewise in opposition to Deputy Chief Minister D Okay Shivakumar’s assertion that Hindu temples don’t solely belong to Hindus.
Alternatively, Dalit Mahasabha members tried a counter-march in assist of Banu Mushtaq. The Mysuru metropolis police denied permission to each organisers.
Nonetheless, on Tuesday, round 9 am, when protesters gathered at Kurubarahalli Circle on Chamundi Hill Highway to march to the hilltop Chamundeshwari temple, the police took them into custody, together with MLA TS Srivathsa. The legislator criticised the police motion, questioning arrests when no prohibitory orders have been in place.
Cops satisfied each group leaders that the demonstrations might create regulation and order points, as neither protest had obtained correct permission.
Greater than 500 police personnel have been deployed to stop the entry of activists to Chamundi hills.
The BJP and right-wing organisations have been in opposition to the Karnataka authorities’s resolution to ask Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Dasara. The controversy stems from an outdated video, during which she has reportedly expressed reservations about worshipping the Kannada language as “Goddess Bhuvaneshwari”, and has acknowledged that it was exclusionary to individuals like her (minorities).
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Celebrated as ‘Nada Habba’ (state pageant), the Dasara or ‘Sharan Navaratri’ festivities within the “royal metropolis” of Mysuru is predicted to be a grand affair this yr, depicting Karnataka’s wealthy tradition and traditions, coupled with memory of royal pomp and glory.
Dasara celebration will start in Mysuru from September 22 and culminate on ‘Vijayadashami’, which falls on October 2.
Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, a pro-Dalit organisation which often celebrates Mahisha Dasara within the identify of Mahisha, who they imagine shouldn’t be a demon however a king who unfold Buddhism within the area. This yr, they’ve determined to skip the celebrations after the federal government introduced Banu Mushtaq’s identify.