Author: Express News Service
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: October 11, 2010
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ASI-report-clinched-verdict--says-Advani/695541
Senior BJP leader LK Advani on Sunday said
the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report was "clincher" for
the Allahabad High Court verdict on the Ayodhya title suits. He also invoked
the then Solicitor General's reply in 1994 to a presidential reference before
the Supreme Court, where it was stated that the Centre would implement the
apex court verdict.
"At least in so far as the High Court
judgment is concerned, the clincher has been the Report of the Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI)," Advani said in his blog. "This is a report
very painstakingly produced on the directions of the High Court itself,"
he said.
With some historians picking holes in the
ASI's finding after the verdict, Advani's reminder that it was produced on
the High Court directions itself appeared to be an attempt to blunt the arguments
against the report based on excavations carried out during the NDA rule in
2003.
Advani also invoked the episode following
the Babri Masjid demolition, when then president Shankar Dayal Sharma had
in 1993 sought the Supreme Court's opinion whether any Hindu temple or any
Hindu religious structure existed prior to the construction of the mosque
at the disputed site.
He recalled the central government's position
presented by the then solicitor general, who said the apex court ruling will
be final and binding for the government.
"If the question referred is answered
in the affirmative, namely, that a Hindu temple/structure did exist prior
to the construction of the demolished structure, government action will be
in support of the wishes of the Hindu community. If, on the other hand, the
question is answered in the negative, namely, that no such Hindu temple structure
existed at the relevant time, then government action will be in support of
the wishes of the Muslim community," the Solicitor General had informed
the apex court in 1994.
Advani's reminder of the government's position
is significant because a large section of the BJP feels the High Court verdict
favours Hindus and believes the chances of a temple being built are brighter
now.
The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court
had ruled that the 2.77-acre disputed land in Ayodhya be divided into three
parts among Hindus and Muslims and that the place where the makeshift temple
of Lord Ram stands belonged to Hindus.
The parties in the suit have three months
to appeal before the apex court against the verdict.
