© 2003 VNN
|
WORLD  Indian Archaeologists Start Dig For Ancient Temple FROM REUTERS INDIA, Mar 18 (VNN) — By Sharat Pradhan AYODHYA, India (Reuters) - Archaeologists began digging in northern India on Wednesday for the remains of an ancient Hindu temple whose disputed existence has triggered some of the nation's deadliest Hindu-Muslim clashes. The government archaeologists, aided by some 50 laborers, used chisels and sifted mud by hand as they searched for remnants of the temple in Ayodhya that some Hindus say Muslim invaders razed in the 16th century to build a mosque. That mosque was destroyed in 1992 by a frenzied Hindu mob, using sledgehammers, crowbars and bare hands, sparking India's worst religious violence since independence in which 3,000 died. The 14 archaeologists, working in heat of 86 degrees Fahrenheit, were armed with a radar survey of the area indicating buried pillars and other objects. The excavation site was covered by a tent whose roof was saffron, a sacred Hindu color, and ringed by 1,200 police, some carrying rifles, but police said they expected no trouble. The dig follows a state court order giving the Archaeological Society of India four weeks to excavate for the temple which Hindus believe was built on the spot where the god-king Ram, one of the chief gods in their pantheon, was born. The ruling was a bid to settle a half-century-old legal wrangle. Muslims, who comprise 12 percent of India's mainly Hindu population, say there is no proof of the temple's existence but have said they will abide by any Supreme Court decision. Entire Story >> Contact VNN about this story  Send this story to a friend
|
