Mysuru: BJP MLC AH Vishwanath, a former minister, has welcomed the govt’s decision to invite writer Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year’s Dasara festival.He suggested that both Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthi should be invited, honoured, and felicitated in front of the Mysuru Palace after the inauguration.“Banu Mushtaq’s work ‘Edeya Hanate’ (Heart Lamp) won the International Booker Prize, and through this, she took Kannada to the international stage. The book’s English translator Deepa Bhasthi, was also awarded. Both received the award equally. Both of them must be felicitated in front of the palace,” he said.Vishwanath said Banu achieved a lot. She was part of the farmers’ movement, language movement, and legal profession, among other struggles. “However, some have opposed her selection for the Dasara inauguration, which is not correct,” he said.Vishwanath said, “India is a pluralistic country, but even those who were ministers have spoken irresponsibly, which is sad.”He criticised former MP Pratap Simmha, saying it is not right for a former parliamentarian to speak against a woman achiever. He further said Dasara benefits all classes of people — from groundnut sellers to sweet vendors — and also supports tourism. About opposition leader R Ashoka’s remarks, Vishwanath said: “As leader of the opposition, he should not spread communal hatred.”Vishwanath demanded that CM Siddaramaiah give a clear explanation on the opposition to Banu Mushtaq inaugurating Dasara.On Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje’s statement that Banu should not be allowed to climb Chamundi Hill, Vishwanath countered that Chamundi Hill does not belong to any one caste or religion. “It is govt property,” he said.Vishwanath also clarified that saying Chamundi Hill belongs to Hindus is wrong, and saying it does not belong to Hindus is also wrong. He urged leaders to stop making provocative statements for political gain.
