This year’s Mysuru Dasara festival was marred by a scandal that has left thousands of Golden Pass holders outraged and questioning the competence and integrity of the administration. People who paid upwards of Rs 5,000 for the coveted Golden Pass to witness the grand Jamboo Savari procession were shockingly denied entry, sparking widespread allegations of a scam and mismanagement.
Overselling Chaos: More Passes Than Seats?
Reports have surfaced that the district administration issued more Golden Passes than the seating capacity authorized for the event, leading to overcrowding and denied entry for many legitimate ticket holders. Disturbing accounts detail spectators enduring hours of fruitless waiting, conflicting instructions from security personnel, and a complete lack of crowd management.
Despite paying premium prices and planning well in advance, families were turned away at multiple checkpoints, often confused by unclear gate assignments and contradictory instructions. This fiasco has cast serious doubts on the organizational transparency and raised questions about possible favoritism and corruption in pass distribution.
Who Is Responsible?
Deputy Commissioner and Dasara Special Officer G. Lakshmikant Reddy claimed that seat arrangements matched the number of passes, citing 3,500 Golden Passes printed and 5,000 Jamboo Savari tickets issued, with some tickets marked “complementary.” However, eyewitnesses and ticket holders vehemently dispute this, describing chaos and exclusion instead of smooth entry.
Was it administrative inefficiency, deliberate overselling, or political interference that prioritized VVIP guests and politicians over genuine public spectators? The scandal demands a thorough independent inquiry. Festival organizers and officials must be held accountable for safeguarding the dignity and trust of the people who support this historic celebration.
Demand for Transparency and Justice
This blunt failure to manage the prestigious Mysuru Dasara event with fairness is a betrayal of public trust. Thousands who invested money and faith in the Golden Pass system deserve clear answers, refunds where applicable, and reforms to prevent such gross mismanagement recurring.
The Mysuru Dasara festival symbolizes Karnataka’s cultural pride and unity. It should never become a ground for scams and bureaucratic blunders that tarnish its legacy and alienate loyal citizens.
