Ayodhya ruling: Advani says ASI report has been the 'clincher'

Amid contentions from some sections that the Ayodhya verdict was based on faith and not evidence, senior BJP leader L K Advani today said the report of the ASI has been the "clincher" in the judgement of the Allahabad High Court bench.

Amid contentions from some sections that the Ayodhya verdict was based on faith and not evidence, senior BJP leader L K Advani on Sunday said the report of the ASI has been the "clincher" in the judgement of the Allahabad High Court bench.

HT Image

On his blog, Advani said, "at least in so far as the High Court judgement is concerned the clincher has been the report of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This is a report very painstakingly produced on the directions of the High Court itself."

The Left parties, SP and some sections of the minority community had alleged that the court verdict had given precedence to faith over evidence.

Though efforts are on between some leaders of both the communities for a consensus and reconciliation on the issue, those opposed to the verdict are said to be mulling over approaching the Supreme Court.

Advani stated in his blog that the court and the ASI had made all efforts to find conclusive evidence.

"The Ground Penetrating Radar Survey (conducted by ASI) had shown up some anomalies. So the High Court directed the ASI to undertake excavations," Advani said.

On September 30, the High Court gave its verdict on the Ayodhya title suit, ruling that the 2.77 acre disputed land in Ayodhya be divided into three parts among Hindus and Muslims and holding that the place where the makeshift temple of Lord Rama currently exists belongs to Hindus.

While delivering its judgement, it gave three months time to the litigants concerned to appeal to the apex court against its verdict.