The chief minister of Indian Kashmir resigned on Monday in the wake of a wave of violent protests over his government's decision to give land in the Muslim region to Hindu pilgrims. The government of Ghulam Nabi Azad lost its majority on June 28 when a key ally, the People's Democratic Party (PDP), pulled out of his Congress party-led ruling alliance.
The PDP withdrew after angry protests over the transfer of forest land to Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board - a trust that manages an annual Hindu pilgrimage to the mountain cave shrine of Amarnath. Six people were killed and over 350 hurt in police firing and violent clashes in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, forcing Azad's government to revoke the order, days after PDP ended its support.
The occupied Kashmir governor had asked Azad to prove his majority in the house on Monday. But before the house could vote to ascertain whether Azad had the required members to rule the state, he decided to resign.
"I am going to the governor's house to tender my resignation," Azad told the house after a fiery speech blaming both Muslim and Hindu fundamentalists for the crisis. "People do politics in the name of religion and take the innocent public towards destruction," said Azad.
The governor has accepted Azad's resignation "but has asked him to continue as caretaker chief minister until an alternative arrangement is put in place," a government source said.
The revocation of the order for land ownership led to protest by angry Hindus in southern Jammu region, where they are concentrated and other areas. In occupied Jammu, residents distributed sweets and burst crackers in some parts as the news of the resignation poured in, witnesses said.