BB Lal, the 100-year-old archaeologist, has won the rare honour of being feted with Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour. The legendary archaeologist is widely respected in scholarly circles.

It may be noted that it was Lal who first discovered temple remains at the formerly disputed Ram Janmabhoomi in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya. In its 2019 verdict giving the disputed land where Babri Masjid once stood to Hindu parties, the Supreme Court made a mention of Lal's irrefutable findings. "I am happy that the court took notice of my archaeological findings in the verdict," Lal told a daily back then.

It was in 1976 that a team led by Lal excavated the Ram Janmabhoomi site. The findings were key and strengthened the case of the Hindu parties. Several BJP leaders have quoted Lal's studies in their interviews and books. Reacting to Modi government's decision to honour Lal with Vibhushan, Tarun Vijay of the BJP wrote, "#Modi govt recognises, salutes the veteran archaeologist who helped regain our soul and pride. He completes 100 years of a glorious life."

Niraj Rai wrote, "India is lucky to have such a great personality. Prof Lal is a precious gem of Indian archaeology who rediscovered civilizational India buried under the colonial past."