On the seventh day of hearing of the Ayodhya hearing, the Hindu parties deriving evidence from the archaeological survey of the disputed site said that a massive structure was constructed at the beginning of the 2nd Century, and this was a temple of Ram at the birthplace of Ram.

At the outset, Senior advocate C S Vaidyanathan, appearing for Ram Lalla Virajman handed over a map of the pillar to the bench found in Ayodhya giving a description of the images carved of Lord Krishna on the pillars.

“The pillars also have images of Bala Ram (Infant Ram) engraved on them,” Vaidyanathan said to the constitution bench comprising CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan, SA Nazeer.

Vaidyanathan stated: “Just because prayers were offered in the mosque that does not make it a mosque. One has to look into the images found there which are against the tenets of Islam. Prayers were offered in the in the disputed structure just to take possession of it.”

Senior Advocate Rajeev Dhavan appearing for Muslim parties objected to Vaidyanathan’s claims and said: “Prayer can be performed anywhere comes from a remark made by Justice Verma. But we have objected to it that prayer cannot be performed anywhere. Anywhere can mean anywhere and hence it’s a wrong interpretation.”

Vaidyanathan continued: “After demolition the court ordered an archaeological survey to determine as to what is the structure. The excavations reveal cultural depositions of different periods from Kushana dynasty followed by the Gupta period. Carbon dating was done with regard to all the excavated material.”

To which, Justice Bobde asked: “We had earlier asked about carbon dating but you said there was no carbon dating.”

Dhavan replied: “What my Lord had asked earlier was whether the idol was carbon dated. However Carbon dating can be done only of organic material. If there is a brick or steel that cannot be carbon dated. There are certain limitations on carbon dating.”

The hearing will continue on Aug 19.

—India Legal Bureau