India, Sept. 15 -- Reiterating that India is a "secular" nation, the Karnataka high court on Monday dismissed three petitions, including one filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pratap Simha, opposing the state government's decision to invite Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the historic Dasara celebrations in Mysuru this month.

A bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi dismissed Simha's petition after holding that it was not persuaded by his argument that a person of another faith cannot be invited as a chief guest for a state function.

The court held that no legal or constitutional rights of the petitioner had been violated by the decision. It noted the submissions made by advocate general Shahsh...