Mysuru, Aug. 26 -- Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar today defended the participation of Banu Mushtaq in the Chamundi Hills Dasara inauguration, asserting that the hill shrine and the goddess belong to people of all faiths and not just Hindus.
Reacting sharply to objections raised by some Hindu groups, Shivakumar said, "Chamundi Hills is not the exclusive preserve of Hindus. People from every religion visit the temple and pray in their own way. Just as we go to mosques, churches, Jain temples, and Gurudwaras, people of other faiths also come here. Who are we to stop them?"Calling the controversy "pure politics," Shivakumar questioned why restrictions were being suggested now. "Even in Ay...