The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continued with the shutdown and protests on Monday against the reinduction of Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo in the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra, had administered the oath of office and secrecy to Kitchloo as Minister of State at a function held at Raj Bhavan in Jammu on December 21.
BJP strongly protested against Kitchloo's re-induction. Party workers and supporters staged a march in Jammu town and shouted slogans and burned effigy of the ruling provincial government on Monday.
"Justice Gandhi submitted his report in a hurry and within a few hours Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo was sent an invitation and he was again administered the oath of office of a minister which clearly indicated the provincial government is not only insulting the democratic values but is also trying to demoralise the spirit of patriotic forces of the country," said a BJP leader, Rajinder Singh.
Kitchloo had earlier resigned from his post after widespread communal violence gripped his constituency Kishtwar in August this year.
"They are speaking in a language which the militants appreciate. The elections are coming and this step was taken keeping in mind that factor. Bharatiya Janata Party (India's main opposition) condemns this and we would not let this happen as we have vowed to establish democracy in this state," Singh added.
After filing his resignation, Kitchloo also ordered a judicial probe into the violence.
Indefinite curfew was imposed in several areas of the province, following incidents of arson and violence after a clash between two communities on August 09 that claimed two lives in Kishtwar town, located about 141-miles from Jammu district of the state.
On December 22, people took to the streets in the region, strongly protesting against Kitchloo's re-induction.
Kitchloo represents the Kishtwar constituency in the 87-member state assembly.
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in pursuance of Rule 5 of the Jammu and Kashmir Government Business Rules, designated Kitchloo as a junior minister of Industries and Commerce.
Kitchloo would also be junior interior minister, Roads and Building, Housing and Urban Development, and Tourism and Culture.
