Koppal, Sept. 6 -- Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today sidestepped a direct question on a viral video of Booker Prize-winning writer Banu Mushtaq questioning the worship of Goddess Bhuvaneswari, even as the controversy over her selection to inaugurate the 2025 Mysuru Dasara gathered pace.
Facing the media, Siddaramaiah was specifically asked about Banu Mushtaq's remarks in the viral video, which have been at the centre of the opposition attacks. Instead of addressing the video, the Chief Minister shifted focus to another part of the query - why Mushtaq was preferred over translator Deepa Bhasthi, who helped take the book to global prominence.
"Do you have any evidence on this (viral video where Banu Mushtaq is seen questioning the...