Protest against ‘religious fanaticism’ over Dasara

A group of progressives, thinkers and activists gathered in front of the bust of Mahatma Gandhi near the Mysuru court complex on Sunday to protest against against the “religious fanaticism” over Dasara celebrations.

The protest organised under the aegis of Karnataka Janaranga was aimed at condemning “those opposed to equality and who were questioning and insulting noted writer and Booker prize winning author Banu Mushtaq because of her religion”.

The protest was organised to give a “fitting reply to the communal, perverted and deceitful forces, who, under the pretext of opposing the inauguration by Ms. Banu Mushtaq were attempting to misuse religion and spread divisive propaganda,” said a statement issued on behalf of Karnataka Janaranga’s T. Gururaj.

However, the statement sought to clarify that the protest was neither for Banu Mushtaq nor against any particular party. Rather, it is against those “dirty-minded politicians” for shattering the idea of an equal society and undermining the spirit of the Constitution while trampling upon the ideals of Mysuru’s royal legacy by “attempting to taint the festival of people with stains of religion”.