Anger has gripped Kashmir over the Centre’s decision to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), with Valley-based political parties calling it an anti-Muslim move that seeks to create another partition and masks the alleged weakness of the BJP to face the voters in the upcoming elections.

Jammu and Kashmir was the only Muslim-majority state in the country that was partitioned and downgraded to two Union Territories. Many Kashmiris believe the BJP-led government is determined to change the Muslim-majority character of the region.

Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday asked Muslims to understand the BJP’s alleged gameplan and not fall into its trap.

“77 years after partition BJP is still wedded to the concept of two nation theory of Hindu Mahasabha. To further their agenda they have thus implemented CAA to create another partition among our people,” Mehbooba posted on X.

“This sudden urgency in its implementation despite the case being pending in honourable SC, is a desperate attempt to divert attention from its all-round failures and engage people in hate politics. Appeal to all communities especially Muslims not to walk into their trap.”

National Conference vice-president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah said the BJP's intention to use religion in the upcoming polls was obvious as the announcement was made a few days ahead of the election notification.

“The BJP’s targets have always been the Muslims. In the CAA also, Muslims have been singled out. It is not the BJP’s new politics. They have been doing it. But I am surprised that the BJP, which claims to be winning 400 seats, which said that they cannot lose after Ram Mandir, perhaps feel their position is weak,” Omar told reporters.

“That is what is forcing them to use new weapons. They have given Muslims a Ramzan gift ahead of the elections…. We regret it.”

CPM veteran Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said the CAA was against the basic tenets of the Constitution of India.

“There is no distinction on the basis of religion, caste or area. Citizenship is the right of every person of the country irrespective of his creed, colour, area or background without any interference of faith,” Tarigami said in a news conference.

BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur hit out at Mehbooba over her partition remarks and said it was misleading.

“People are aware and wise enough to understand why the CAA has been implemented. No place for politics of hate in Jammu and Kashmir,” Thakur said.