Case:- SRI H S GAURAV vs State of Karnataka
Citation:- W.P. No. 27824/2025
Date:- 15.09.2025
Karnataka High Court Bench:- CHIEF JUSTICE VIBHU BAKHRU and JUSTICE C M JOSHI
The Hon’ble Karnataka High Court held that “Participation of a person practicing a particular faith or religion, in celebrations of festivals of other religion does not offend the rights available under the Constitution of India,”
- The Hon’ble Karnataka High Court has ruled that a person practicing one religion can participate in festivals of another faith without offending the Constitution.
- The case arose after petitions objected to the State inviting Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq as Chief Guest for Mysuru Dasara 2025.
- The Petitioners argued that rituals like lighting the sacred lamp, offering flowers and chanting Vedic prayers can only be performed by a Hindu.
- The State countered, saying Dasara is a government-organised festival, not a temple event, so there’s no bar based on religion. It also cited a 2016 circular mandating free entry into temples for all, irrespective of caste, community, religion or gender.
- The Hon’ble Court noted that Mushtaq, an author, lawyer, social activist, was chosen by a committee of elected representatives and officials. Inviting Mr. Mushtaq does not violate anyone’s Article 25 rights, nor does it hurt any religious denomination’s freedoms.
