Mysuru, Aug. 31 -- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today strongly defended the selection of noted Kannada writer and International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year's Dasara, asserting that the decision was taken at the Dasara High Power Committee meeting in Bengaluru earlier this month.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at Mysore Airport in Mandakalli this morning for a three-day visit, Siddaramaiah maintained that there is no hard and fast rule on who should inaugurate Dasara, as the Nada Habba belongs to everyone, including Hindus, Muslims, Christians and other communities.

"Dasara has been celebrated for over 400 years, even during the rule of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. It was also held when Sir Mirza Ismail ...