"I wanted to convey that animals have more right than Kashmiri people," said Engineer Rashid. (File photograph)
A lawmaker in Kashmir got detained by the police on Thursday after he tried to launch a unique protest.
On Human Rights Day, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, better known as Engineer Rashid, and his supporters got a little procession out. Their destination: Lal Chowk, the city centre of Srinagar.
The marchers were seen leading a group of animals, a mule, dog, goat and a cow, cards slung on their necks. The message: Animal rights have more rights than the people in Kashmir.
"On human rights day I want to highlight the pathetic human rights record in Kashmir. I wanted to convey that animals have more right than Kashmiri people," said the independent legislator, who had drawn attacks for hosting a "beef party" in the aftermath of the beef ban in the state.
But the police put a stop to the march before it could reach Lal Chowk and took the protesters to the police station.
The legislator and his men were later released, but there is no information whether his four-legged supporters were set free.
Earlier this year, Mr Rashid had attempted to curb what he called the stray dog menace in Srinagar with a bill in the assembly, saying it was "not a case of AFSPA".
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which gives the army special powers in areas considered "disturbed" is a controversial issue in Kashmir. Regional parties like the National Conference and the ruling People's Democratic Party advocating its gradual revocation from areas in the state that are free from militancy.
In October, Mr Rashid faced an ink attack at Delhi's press club when he was accompanying the family of a truck driver who died after petrol bombs were lobbed into his vehicle in Jammu's Udhampur.