Commentary: The hidden reality behind the support of BSP to the deletion of Article 370

When the bills seeking the deletion of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state of Jammu Kashmir to the Union Territory of Ladak and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was presented in the parliament, even those presented the bills never expected that they would get the support of the BSP, the party which was very vocal against the actions of the Saffron party. But, to the surprise of many, the controversial bills got the support of the BSP, the political party of Mayawati, who is regarded by many as the potential future PM of the country. Why the BSP supported the bill? That is a big question.

The answer lies in the Article 370 itself. The article grants special status to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The special laws, which were protecting the special status of the state, make it difficult for the lives of non-Jammu and Kashmir people in the state. The laws do not allow the non-Jammu and Kashmir people to own property in the state. There are other restrictions also. Actually, the people who suffer the most from these restrictions are poor migrant labours from Bihar, UP and other North Indian states. The deletion of these laws means that these migrants no longer need to pay heavy rents for their housing and they can escape from several other exploitations.

So, the BSP’s support was not a foolish move, but a well thought out move. Most of the migrant workers in J&K are the members of Dalit community, the community which is regarded as the support base of the BSP.

Actually, the surprise support the ruling got was not only from the BSP. The same surprise element was there when the bills were supported by the AAP and TDP –both the vocal opponents of the ruling.

Why the AAP and TDP supported the bills? Do you have any guess?

Vignesh. S. G
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