Bengaluru, March 16 (NationPress) Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, a prominent Karnataka BJP leader, has called for the government to initiate a suo motu case against International Booker Prize laureate Banu Mushtaq, demanding her arrest for allegedly disrespecting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar by paying floral tributes while wearing slippers.

Addressing the media on Monday, Narayanaswamy, who serves as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Legislative Council, expressed his strong disapproval of Mushtaq's actions, specifically her tribute to a photograph of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar while donning slippers in Mandya district.

He insisted that the government must pursue stringent legal measures against her. According to Narayanaswamy, Mushtaq referred to slippers as her "house deity" and proceeded to insult Babasaheb Ambedkar.

He emphasized that she has offended individuals who revere Ambedkar as a divine figure.

“I unequivocally denounce her audacity in disrespecting both Hindus and Muslims,” he stated.

Narayanaswamy recalled that during her invitation to inaugurate the Dusshera celebrations, numerous individuals protested, accusing her of being anti-Kannada. At that time, various Dalit organizations and activists had rallied in support of her.

He questioned the current stance of those Dalit organization leaders.

He stated that since Babasaheb Ambedkar, revered by many as a deity, was dishonored in such a manner, Dalit organizations statewide should perform worship of Banu Mushtaq using her "house deity"—the slippers she mentioned.

As she has designated slippers as her household deity, she would have no basis to object to this, he asserted.

Moreover, he urged Dalit organizations, Hindus, and members of the Islamic community to publicly denounce her whenever she appears.

He reiterated that Allah is recognized globally as the God of Islam and that Muslims pray to Allah, which deserves respect.

However, he pointed out that Mushtaq had claimed slippers as her household deity, thereby wearing them while paying her tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and defended her actions with a sense of arrogance. Consequently, she is unworthy of forgiveness, he concluded.

He further noted that those who craft slippers are primarily from the Scheduled Castes, and that his community has a historical tradition of slipper-making.

He questioned whether Banu Mushtaq belongs to that community, asking, "When you assert that slippers are your household deity while others worship Allah, whom are you comparing?"

He also inquired if the slippers or shoes worn by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar could be considered her household deity, challenging Mushtaq with, "Would you accept the shoes or slippers worn by Dr. Ambedkar as your household deity?"

Narayanaswamy questioned whether Islam would tolerate such a claim and why Islamic leaders and clerics remained silent despite her statements. "Why are you not questioning her?" he asked.

He claimed that people are now saying that if Banu Mushtaq attends future meetings or public functions, she will face consequences involving her own household deity. "Now you know what her household deity is," he remarked.

If she were to be confronted, would she perceive it as being done by her household deity and not misinterpret it, he queried.

It is important to note that during an event in Mandya, Mushtaq reportedly offered floral tributes to a photo of B.R. Ambedkar while wearing slippers.

She allegedly stated, "chappali (slippers) are my house deity" when explaining her failure to remove them before the floral offerings.

Critics have interpreted this remark as an insult to Ambedkar, equating religious symbols with slippers.