INDIA, January 16, 2024 (New Indian Express): KK Muhammed, 71, was part of the Archaeological Survey of India team that excavated the Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya in 1976 where the Ram temple now stands. While stating the demolition of Babri Masjid did shock him as an archaeologist, Muhammed is of the view Muslims must willingly hand over Gyanvapi and Mathura mosques to Hindus. He thinks that will heal many wounds.
Excerpts from his conversation with TNIE:
You were part of the ASI team that excavated Babri Masjid/Ram Janmabhoomi in 1976. What were your findings? It was a team led by Professor B B Lal that carried out the excavation and I was part of it. We came across pillars of a Hindu temple, with Poornakalasa engraved on them. Forms of defaced gods and goddesses were also discovered. Terracotta statues traditionally associated with temples, too, were unearthed. We will never find statues of humans in mosques, as these are haram for Muslims. That’s how we concluded that a temple had stood there before the mosque was constructed.
Much more at source. Please note that this URL is misleading–“under narendra modi a dark age”–when the archeologist’s specific complaint is that the BJP has not been as active as he thinks they should have been for the last ten years in restoring Hindu temples under ASI control.
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/interview-bjp-rule-under-narendra-modi-a-dark-age-for-the-asi-archaeologist-kk-muhammed/ar-AA1mYCp9