Bengaluru, Aug. 24 -- The announcement that writer and activist Bhanu Mushtaq will inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara 2025 festival has ignited a multifaceted debate across Karnataka, with many celebrating the move as a step towards cultural inclusivity, while others have raised concerns about its alignment with Mushtaq's personal beliefs.
Suspended BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal questioned Bhanu's participation, suggesting that her involvement in a Hindu religious ceremony might contradict her Islamic faith.
He called for clarification on whether she continues to follow Islamic tenets or has adopted a more universal spiritual outlook.
Yatnal emphasised that while Bhanu's presence at cultural and literary programmes within Dasara is welco...