Karnataka Legislative Council member and state vice-chairman of the Guarantee Implementation Authority Dinesh Gooligowda has urged the state government to invite Supreme Court Justice B.V. Nagarathna to inaugurate the 2026 Mysuru Dasara festival.
Gooligowda has reportedly submitted a representation to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, requesting that Justice Nagarathna's name be considered for the inauguration of the iconic festival. The appeal comes ahead of the 2026 Mysuru Dasara celebrations, which are scheduled to begin on October 11, with the Jamboo Savari scheduled for October 21.
According to Gooligowda's representation, inviting Justice Nagarathna would highlight Karnataka's contribution to India's judicial history while also giving recognition to a prominent woman from the state.
Request to Honour Justice B.V. Nagarathna
Mysuru Dasara is one of Karnataka's most prominent cultural festivals and showcases the state's heritage, traditions, art and history. The festival is traditionally inaugurated by prominent personalities from different fields.
Gooligowda has suggested that Justice Nagarathna be considered for the honour because of her position in India's judiciary and her connection to Karnataka. The Supreme Court's official profile records that she served as a judge of the Karnataka High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court in August 2021.
Justice Nagarathna was born in Bengaluru and began practising law in 1987. She became an additional judge of the Karnataka High Court in 2008 and a permanent judge in 2010. During her tenure at the Karnataka High Court, she served as president of the Karnataka Judicial Academy and the Bengaluru Mediation Centre.
She was appointed to the Supreme Court on August 31, 2021.
Link to Karnataka's Judicial Legacy
Justice Nagarathna is also the daughter of former Chief Justice of India E.S. Venkataramiah. Her judicial career has therefore attracted particular attention because of the family's connection with India's highest court.
Gooligowda's representation refers to her as a significant figure from Karnataka and argues that inviting her to inaugurate Dasara would provide an opportunity to recognise her contribution to the legal and judicial fields.
The Supreme Court's official profile also notes that Justice Nagarathna contributed to the Courts of India publication, including work related to the chapter on Karnataka. She chaired the committee responsible for bringing out the Kannada translation of the book, which was released in 2021.
A Message on Women's Representation
Another major point raised in the representation is women's empowerment. Gooligowda has said that selecting a senior woman judicial figure for the inauguration would send a message about women's participation and achievements in important public institutions.
The proposal also seeks to connect the honour with Karnataka's regional identity, referring to Justice Nagarathna's family roots in Mandya district.
However, the proposal is currently a request made to the state government. The government has not, based on the information available here, announced Justice Nagarathna as the 2026 Dasara inaugural guest.
The Supreme Court's current official profile states that Justice Nagarathna is due to retire on October 29, 2027.
Mysuru Dasara 2026 Schedule
The Karnataka government has already fixed the broad schedule for this year's celebrations. The festival inauguration is scheduled for October 11, 2026, while the Jamboo Savari will take place on October 21.
Preparations are already underway, including the arrival of the Dasara elephant contingent. The first phase of the Gajapayana began at Veeranahosahalli on August 26, marking the formal start of preparations involving the elephants for the festival.
The decision on who will inaugurate the festival will therefore be closely watched as preparations for Mysuru Dasara 2026 progress.
Gooligowda's request places Justice B.V. Nagarathna's name among the personalities being considered for the prestigious role and frames the proposal around judicial service, Karnataka's cultural identity and women's representation.
