AYODHYA, 16 March 2003 — Excavation begun in Ayodhya to determine whether a temple existed beneath the Babri Masjid, demolished on Dec. 6, 1992, came to a halt yesterday when laborers came across the mosque’s floor.
Coming across the floor of the demolished mosque in the process of excavation has given the Ayodhya-drama a new turn. There is a view: Continuing excavation there amounts to completing the demolition undertaken on Dec. 6, 1992.
Excavation resumed yesterday after a day’s break owing to Muharram. Laborers digging at the site came across the floor of the mosque earlier too when they dug the first 4X4 meter trenches, sources said.
When the laborers came across the mosque floor, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Superintendent Archaeologist B.R. Mani decided to defer excavation of the floor till necessary permission was obtained from the Allahabad High Court.
The Allahabad High Court had ordered ASI on March 5 to begin excavation in Ayodhya within a week’s time to determine whether there existed a temple, where the demolished mosque stood.
