Banu Mushtaq Invokes Love and Justice as she Lights Up Mysuru Dasara 2025

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September 22, 2025

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Mysuru, Sept 22: International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq inaugurated the 415th edition of the world-renowned Mysuru Dasara celebrations on Monday, calling on people everywhere to embrace the festival’s universal message of peace, compassion, and harmony.

Speaking atop the Chamundi Hill, where she lit the ceremonial lamp and offered flowers to Goddess Chamundeshwari, Mushtaq said:

“Dasara is not just a cultural festival, it is an inclusive symphony of humanity. In a world torn by wars, let its light spread across the globe with love, justice, and compassion.”

Dressed in a traditional yellow Mysore Silk saree, with Mysuru jasmine adorning her hair, Mushtaq recited her celebrated poem Bagina, first published a decade ago. She emphasized that “we can win life not with arms, but with akshara (literature), and prosper with love.”

Faith and heritage

Before the inauguration, Mushtaq and her family visited the Chamundeshwari temple, where priests welcomed her with a garland and saree. She described the moment as a fulfilment of a vow made by a close friend, who had prayed at the temple for her Booker triumph.

“Lighting a lamp or offering floral tributes is not new to me,” she said, stressing that her religious faith has “never crossed her home” and highlighting her deep engagement with Kannada and Hindu culture in her forthcoming book Booker Banu Baduku Baraha.

Mushtaq also reflected on her family’s ties to Mysuru’s royal past, recalling how her uncle, Sepoy Mohammad Ghouse, once served as a trusted bodyguard to Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar.

Controversy and criticism

The government’s decision to invite Mushtaq sparked opposition from some political and cultural groups. Critics questioned why fellow Booker winner Deepa Bhasthi was not chosen, while others raised objections to Mushtaq’s past remarks on the Kannada flag and her faith.

Despite the protests, the inauguration proceeded smoothly under tight security, with a police route march held ahead of the festivities for the first time.

A festival of unity

In her address, Mushtaq portrayed Dasara as a living symbol of India’s pluralism:

“Culture should be a bridge between people, not a wall. Our heritage tells us that Karnataka is truly Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota — a garden of peace for all communities.”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, several Cabinet ministers, MLAs, and cultural leaders joined thousands of visitors at the hilltop ceremony.

As the lamps were lit and Mysuru’s royal festivities began, Mushtaq’s words set the tone for a Dasara dedicated to peace over conflict, unity over division, and love over hatred.

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News Network
November 27,2025

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Authorities at Pakistan’s high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday dismissed speculation about the condition of imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, rejecting rumours that he had been moved out of the facility or was in danger. Officials said Khan was in “good health” and described the viral death claims as “baseless.”

“There is no truth to reports about his transfer from Adiala Jail,” the Rawalpindi prison administration said in a statement, according to Geo News. “He is fully healthy and receiving complete medical attention.”

Amid swirling rumours on social media, Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), urged the federal government to issue an official clarification and demanded that authorities allow his family to meet him immediately, Dawn reported.

The frenzy began after Khan’s three sisters called for an impartial probe into what they described as a “brutal” police assault on them and other PTI supporters outside Adiala Jail last week. Soon after, several social media handles circulated unverified claims alleging that Khan had been “killed” inside the prison.

The rumours intensified when a handle named “Afghanistan Times” claimed that “credible sources” had confirmed Khan’s “murder” and that his body had been moved out of the jail — allegations that have not been verified by any credible agency.

Imran Khan, PTI’s patron-in-chief, has been lodged in the Rawalpindi prison since August 2023 in multiple cases. For over a month, an undeclared restriction has prevented family members and senior PTI leaders from meeting him. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has reportedly been denied access despite making seven attempts.

In a letter to Punjab Police Chief Usman Anwar, Khan’s sisters — Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Dr. Uzma Khan — said they were “peacefully protesting” outside the jail when police allegedly launched an unprovoked assault after streetlights were switched off.

“At 71, I was seized by my hair, thrown to the ground and dragged across the road,” Noreen Niazi said, alleging that other women present were also slapped and manhandled.

Adiala Jail officials reiterated that speculation over Imran Khan’s health was unfounded and insisted that his well-being was being ensured, Geo News reported.

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News Network
November 26,2025

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Bengaluru, Nov 26: Karnataka is taking its first concrete steps towards lifting a three-decade-old ban on student elections in colleges and universities. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced Wednesday that the state government will form a small committee to study the reintroduction of campus polls, a practice halted in 1989 following incidents of violence.

Speaking at a 'Constitution Day' event organised by the Karnataka Congress, Mr. Shivakumar underscored the move's aim: nurturing new political leadership from the grassroots.

"Recently, (Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter to me and Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) asking us to think about restarting student elections," Shivakumar stated. "I'm announcing today that we'll form a small committee and seek a report on this."

Student elections were banned in Karnataka in 1989, largely due to concerns over violence and the infiltration of political party affiliates into campus life. The ban effectively extinguished vibrant student bodies and the pipeline of young leaders they often produced.

Mr. Shivakumar, who also serves as the Karnataka Congress president, said that former student leaders will be consulted to "study the pros and cons" of the re-introduction.

Acknowledging the history of the ban, he added, "There were many criminal activities taking place back then. We’ll see how we can conduct (student) elections by regulating such criminal activities."

The Deputy CM reminisced about his own journey, which began on campus. He recalled his political activism at Sri Jagadguru Renukacharya College leading to his first Assembly ticket in 1985 at the age of 23. "That's how student leadership was at the time. Such leadership has gone today. College elections have stopped," he lamented, adding that for many, college elections were "like a big movement" where leaders were forged.

The move, driven by the Congress high command's push to cultivate young talent, will face scrutiny from academics and university authorities who have, in the past, expressed concern that the return of polls could disrupt the peaceful academic environment and turn campuses into political battlegrounds.

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News Network
November 30,2025

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Mangaluru, Nov 30: A 22-year-old college student succumbed to her injuries at a private hospital in Mangaluru today, days after she was hit by a goods tempo while crossing a road in Padubidri.

The deceased has been identified as Preksha, a resident of Nadsalu Billitota in Padubidri. The fatal incident occurred as Preksha, who was returning home after completing her examination, attempted to cross the service road towards Mangaluru. She was struck by a goods tempo approaching from the Udupi side, causing her to fall and sustain a severe head injury.

Prompt action from local residents ensured she received immediate first aid before being rushed to a hospital in Mangaluru for specialised treatment. Despite medical efforts, she passed away while undergoing care.

Preksha was a student at Karavali College, Vamanjoor on the outskirts of Mangaluru city. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that she belonged to a financially vulnerable family, having previously lost her father. She is survived by her mother and brother.

A case related to the accident has been registered at the Padubidri police station, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances that led to the collision. The incident highlights the growing concerns over road safety, particularly on busy service roads, and serves as a tragic reminder of the human cost of traffic accidents.

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