Jnanpith Award winner Girish Karnad has said that those who have criticised the decision of the government to invite him to inaugurate the Dasara festivities in Mysore are “ignoramuses who do not know the basics of the Hindu tradition.”
“Those who say that I am not fit to inaugurate Dasara because I am a rationalist who does not believe in idol worship have no clue what they are saying,” said Mr. Karnad, speaking to The Hindu.
He was formally invited to inaugurate the Dasara celebrations on Wednesday by V. Srinivas Prasad, Revenue Minister and district in-charge Minister of Mysore.
Last week, the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party had urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to withdraw the invitation to Mr. Karnad on the grounds that he is a non-believer.
Mr. Karnad said that the Nastika traditions (which do not accept the authority of the Vedas as revealed scriptures), are an integral part of the Indian philosophical heritage. “Religion has undergone many debates in India. Those who use ready-made phrases to describe a believer and a non-believer do not know the complexity of Hinduism,” he said.
The writer said that idol worship was not part of the early Vedic tradition and became part of the faith later.
“Rituals are not just about personal belief but linked to cultural practices,” said Mr. Karnad. He said that Dasara is a cultural event and it is a “great honour” for him to have been invited to inaugurate it.
Mr. Karnad, however, said that discussion and debates are signs of democracy and people are free to express their opposition. “Why should everyone agree to the government’s decision” he asked.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was also invited for the Dasara festivities by Mr. Prasad on Wednesday.
