Silent protest against Bangladesh's loud horns sparks noisy support

Bangladeshi Mominur Rahman Royal is stopping traffic -- literally.

The 36-year-old is on a one-man crusade to reduce unnecessary honking in one of the world's noisiest cities, where the cacophony of vehicle horns in heavy traffic is as loud as a rock concert.

On the weekend, he stands at a busy intersection near his home holding a yellow placard with the Bengali rhyme "Horn Hudai, Bajay Bhudai" meaning "Only an idiot honks a horn unnecessarily".

"This is my silent protest against the nuisance. I just try to deliver the message to the people," he told AFP as cars, buses and trucks rumbled noisily past him.

Since starting his campaign four years ago, the graphic designer said he has received overwhelming support.

"People on their way home stop by to stand by my side, silently holding my placards on the road even though they don't know me. This is a sign of a positive change."