Ayodhya: After a day's break for Muharram, excavation of the disputed site resumed
for the third day on March 15 amid objections by the Waqf Board to the absence of
Muslims among the archaeologists and labourers engaged in the exercise to ascertain
whether a temple existed beneath the demolished structure.
Meanwhile, a restive Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had dubbed the excavation
as a "tedious exercise", announced that mass mobilisation was on to administer a
pledge to build the temple to over one crore 'Ram bhakts' during its week-long
satyagraha in Delhi beginning on March 27.
Labourers under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team led
by superintendent archaeologist B R Mani began at four fresh trenches just opposite
the make-shift temple on March 15, which were earmarked after the earlier excavation
made to the floor of the demolished structure.
While archaeologists Muhammad Abid, Benani Bhattacharya and R C Thakral represented
the Muslim bodies, A K Mishra, J P Srivastava, Prakash Sharan Prakash, former
archaeologist of Bihar, were present on behalf of the contesting Hindu parties.
Meanwhile, counsel Zafaryab Jilani of Sunni Central Board said he would be giving a
representation to the ASI over the presence of only one Muslim in their team and the
absence of even a single Muslim among the 52 labourers engaged for the excavation
being carried out on the orders of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court.
"We want the ASI to give us an explanation with regard to this discrimination," he
said.
Jilani had earlier raised apprehensions over the removal of ASI director general
allegedly at the behest of Union Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar
Joshi on the eve of the excavation.
Meanwhile, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) media in-charge Sharad Sharma said mass
mobilisation was on across Uttar Pradesh for its 'satyagraha' in Delhi, in support
of a Parliamentary enactment to immediately hand over the acquired land to Ram
Janmabhoomi Nyas and facilitate the construction of the temple.
After two days of excavation, archaeologists have so far come across only a shell
and basal (gomed – a precious stone) and two brick-marks of 1920's vintage.
Security personnel in Ayodhya and neighbouring Faizabad continued to maintain strict
vigil, even as the two towns remained normal.
PTI
