State govt.’s invite is an opportunity to fulfil the vow to Chamundeshwari Devi, says Banu Mushtaq

Playing down the right wing’s opposition to her being invited to inaugurate the Dasara celebrations in Mysuru, author Banu Mushtaq has said that the State government’s invitation was an opportunity to fulfil the vow to the Goddess Chamundeshwari.

“During my visit to Mysuru after winning the prize, my friend wanted us both to visit the temple to fulfil the vow. However, that day, we could not go and decided to visit the temple the next time. Now, the government, by inviting me to inaugurate Dasara, has offered me an opportunity to fulfil the vow”Banu MushtaqAuthor

Speaking to press persons in Hassan on Tuesday, the Booker Prize winner said that her Mysuru friend and writer Meena Mysuru had made a vow before Chamundeswari Devi when her book was longlisted for the Booker Prize. “During my visit to Mysuru after winning the prize, my friend wanted us both to visit the temple to fulfil the vow. However, that day, we could not go and decided to visit the temple the next time. Now, the government, by inviting me to inaugurate Dasara, has offered me an opportunity to fulfil the vow,” she said.

Referring to comments made by politicians, Ms. Mushtaq said she received an overwhelming response from crores of Kannadigas when she won the award. “Why should I react to the negativity of a few people? People themselves are replying to those negative comments,” she said.

However, she opined that the active politicians should have a sense of what to politicise and what not to. “I wish the tribe of Mysuru MP Yaduvee Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar would grow in the BJP. He has given a clear statement on the issue with no ambiguity,” she stated.

Some people had also spoken negatively about the Booker Prize. “I am not hurt by such statements. It is their opinion. But it is not easy to win the Booker Prize. Because of the prize, I am speaking about the Kannada language at different forums. I am reading out Kannada texts in the international events,” she said.

Further, referring to her speech, a video clip of which is being circulated on social media, the writer said, “I spoke at Jana Sahitya Samavesha in 2023. The event was organised as a mark of protest against the exclusion of Muslim writers from the Akhila Bharata Sahitya Sammelana held at Haveri that year. I spoke as a representative of the downtrodden people and women at the event. The people who were present there know very well what I spoke about there. People need to understand my words through their hearts,” she added.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat general secretary Madan Gowda and Hassan district Kannada Sahitya Parishat president H.L. Mallesh Gowda felicitated Banu Mushtaq on her being chosen by the State government to inaugurate Dasara celebrations.