The government’s decision in relation to Article 370 is a monumental decision towards National integration. — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) 1564987839000

NEW DELHI: BJP’s political agenda of a Ram temple in Ayodhya , scrapping Article 370 and adopting a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has for several decades seemed like a statement of intent that did not have much chance of being translated into reality.Not so now. The reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir is set to sail through Parliament with Rajya Sabha having passed it on Monday.The success came less than a week after the contentious bill to ban instant triple talaq and make it punishable breached the numerical and ideological barrier in RS. Suddenly the possibility of a UCC — though by no means an easy task — does not appear as unachievable. Almost certainly, more aspects of personal laws are likely to be taken up for scrutiny, marking incremental progress towards UCC.The Ayodhya issue is now in its final leg, with the Supreme Court beginning day-to-day hearings on the title suit from Tuesday. Despite its sensitive religious and political overtones, the issue may well be heading for a finale.Passage of the resolution to ratify the presidential order that makes Article 370 a dead letter gives BJP strong traction in a growing constituency which is drawn to its nationalist and Hindutva agenda. It is a big success that helps validates BJP’s political vision that it has presented as an alternative to Nehruvian secularism.The Modi government anticipates that the path ahead in J&K will be very challenging, but is convinced that the political logjam in the state needs radical measures that will serve to attack the “separateness” that Article 35A and Article 370 have bred.Home minister Amit Shah was instrumental in winning over several parties. Many felt the ground had shifted and the public pulse was definitely in favour of abrogating Article 370. Party sources said Shah began his preparations more than a month back as he reached out to party leaders and convinced them about supporting pending legislation. Parties like BJD, TRS, YSRCP and TDP all voted in favour of the J&K Reorganisation Bill that saw BJP succeed in pushing through legislation that seemed a bridge too far not long ago.“The government’s decision in relation to Article 370 is a monumental decision towards national integration. What was a temporary and transient provision cannot be treated as permanent. It had to go,” senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley tweeted.