Former MP Pratap Simha moves HC against Banu Mushtaq inaugurating Mysuru Dasara
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Mysuru: The Karnataka High Court has been approached by former MP Pratap Simha, who has challenged the state government’s decision to invite Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the world-famous Mysuru Dasara festival this year.
Simha has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the government to withdraw the invitation. The petition is yet to be listed for hearing.
In his plea, Simha argued that the Mysuru Dasara, celebrated as the “Nada Habba” (state festival), involves rituals considered sacred by lakhs of devotees. The inauguration is not merely a ceremonial event, but a religious function that begins with lighting the sacred lamp and offering prayers at the sanctum of Goddess Chamundeshwari. According to him, inviting Mushtaq, who belongs to a different faith and has previously made remarks critical of Hindu traditions and Kannada identity, has hurt religious sentiments.
He further claimed that the government’s decision violates Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, which safeguard religious freedom and the right to manage religious practices. The petition noted that the Dasara tradition has continued for centuries with the involvement of the royal family and other stakeholders, and accused the government of ignoring established customs while making the decision.
The former MP also warned that the move has already sparked protests and public unrest, with the potential to disturb communal harmony and law and order. He urged the court to impose an interim stay on the government’s decision.
While the state government has said that its intention was to recognise literary achievement and promote inclusivity through the invitation, Simha argued that the decision clashes with religious traditions and public sentiment. He has requested the court to restrain the government from going ahead with the plan.
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Budget allocation to AYUSH Ministry sees 20% rise
New Delhi (PTI): Budget allocation for the AYUSH ministry saw 20 per cent increase, from Rs 3,671.82 crore (revised estimates) in FY 2025-26 to Rs 4,408.93 crore in FY 2026-27.
The government has also announced the setting up of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda to strengthen research in the field.
Presenting the Union Budget 2026-27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Ancient Indian Yoga, already respected in several parts of the world, was given a mass global recognition when the Prime Minister took it to the United Nations."
Stating that post-Covid Ayurveda has gained similar global acceptance and recognition, Sitharaman said exporting quality Ayurvedic products could help farmers who grow the herbs and the youth who process them.
To meet the global demand, she proposed setting up of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda, upgrading AYUSH pharmacies and drug-testing labs for higher standards of certification ecosystem, making available more skilled personnel, and upgrading the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar to bolster evidence-based research, training and awareness on traditional medicine.
Among the Centrally sponsored schemes, the allocation for the National AYUSH Mission has been increased from Rs 780.96 crore in FY 2025-26 to Rs 1,300 crore in FY 2026-27, registering 66.5 per cent hike.
The allocation for the All India Institute of Ayurveda has been reduced by 12 per cent.
Funding for the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda has also declined from 279.24 crore to 219.05 crore.
