AIPWA CONGRATULATES BANU MUSHTAQ FOR WINNING THE INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE 2025

Banu Mushtaq, an Indian writer, activist and scholar has made history by being the first author writing in Kannada language to win the 2025 International Booker Prize. Banu Mushtaq has won the award for her short story anthology “Heart Lamp” (translated by Deepa Bhasthi), which captures the everyday lives of women and girls in Muslim communities in southern India. The book testifies to her journey as both a journalist as well as a lawyer, and chronicles her fight for justice for women and the fight against caste-based and religious discrimination. The stories spread across the lives of women, showcasing their fight against oppression and their resolve.

Banu Mushtaq worked as a journalist, including with Lankesh Patrike, fiercely speaking truth to power. She was also a part of the Bandaya movement in the 1980s, seeking socio-economic justice through literature.

We congratulate Banu Mushtaq on the well-deserved award. The recognition of her work in the international stage paves the path for young women across the country. Through her work, we are reminded of the need for the women’s movement in India to fight against the triple threat of patriarchy, casteism and communalism.