Thrashed Kashmir legislator defends holding beef party

Srinagar: Independent lawmaker Engineer Rashid, who was thrashed by BJP legislators on Thursday, said he did not indulge in any illegal act by hosting a beef party at his official residence here.

Engineer Rashid told reporters outside the assembly that beef was banned under the state's Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) and the high court had ordered its implementation, but a Supreme Court order suspended its enforcement for two months in the state.

The lawmaker termed the assault on him by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs in the legislative assembly as "terrorism and hooliganism".

"Nearly six to eight BJP members grabbed me and kicked and punched me. Is this democratic behaviour. And you expect separatists to join this assembly," he asked.

He said officials at the MLA hostel were reluctant to allow his beef party and allowed it only after he explained the apex court's verdict.

"I didn't use the hostel's facility and food was brought from outside. I had no intention of hurting anyone's sentiments," he added.

He said two officials of the legislators hostel were suspended and called it "unjust".

"You will find many bottles of liquor at the MLA hostel", he told the reporters, adding that "if legislators can have alcohol, why can't I have beef".

Asked if he expects the assembly speaker to take action against BJP lawmakers for attacking him, he said: "I don't have any expectations from anyone there (assembly)."