Shaktiman was a victim of brutality and cruelty: Hema Malini

File Pic

Dehradun: Shaktiman, an Uttarakhand Police horse that lost a leg during a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) protest here last month, died on Wednesday, days after it got a prosthetic limb.

Reacting to the news, BJP MP Hema Malini on Thursday said that the horse was a victim of brutality and cruelty.

Shaktiman is no more- a victim of brutality & cruelty, he was powerless to protect himself. What a tragedy! — Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) April 21, 2016

Animal rights activists reacted sharply and asked the government to take action against the accused BJP leader, Ganesh Joshi.

Shaktiman's story stirred many across the country after it was seen in television visuals taking multiple blows and dragging its broken, mangled limb in excruciating pain during the protest on March 14.

The 13-year-old didn't respond well to a prosthetic leg brought from the US, doctors said. It spent the past few weeks at the police lines in Dehradun. It was a well-trained horse and part of Uttarakhand Mounted Police for years. It had participated in several parades.

BJP MLA Ganesh Joshi, accused of instigating the brutal attack on the horse, said, "I am very sad. I was not at fault, not even 0.1 percent. If I am found guilty, then cut my leg."

The lawmaker was arrested and later let off on bail last month.