New Delhi, June 18: A day after eminent historians alleged that Union Tourism Minister Jagmohan was forcing the Archeological Survey of India to dig up evidence of a temple in Ayodhya, the government today denied the accusation saying such comments were "unwarranted as well as irresponsible." "In fact, it constitutes a contempt of court, as the Allahabad High Court had prohibited all concerned from making comments in regard to pending issues before it," an official release said here.

Eminent historians Irfan Habib and Suraj Bhan had claimed that the ASI was working under pressure of the ministry to find out any evidence to prove the presence of a temple. Pointing out that the ASI team was reporting directly to the high court, it said, they were carrying out the work in the presence of representatives of the parties concerned in the case in accordance with the principles and procedure approved by the court.

The release said that the media reports quoted Habib and Bhan and "if any such statement has been made by them, it is unwarranted as well as irresponsible." "The matter is between the Allahabad High Court and the team which is working at the site under the court's directions and in accordance with the principle of procedure adopted by it," it added.

Bureau Report