Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, the Chairman of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust, has tested positive for COVID-19. The Mahant is in Mathura where he had gone for the Janamashtami celebrations. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the district officials to take proper care of the seer.

Adityanath has also spoken to medical experts and the Mahant is likely to be shifted to Medanta hospital later in the day. He was actively present in the Bhoomi Pujan of Ram Temple in Ayodhya which was attended by over 100 -120 people including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and more. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spoke to Dr Trehan of Medanta for immediate medical attention for him. He also directed Mathura District Magistrate to give all possible support for providing the best possible medical attention.

Mahant Nritya Gopal Das is attributed with building many temples in Ayodhya. Some of these include Ramayan Bhavan, Shri Rangnath temple and the Shri Char Dham temple. He has been actively associated with the movement for the Ram Temple. In 2003, he took over the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas—a trust shaped by the Vishva Hindu Parishad in January 1993, after Ramchandra Paramhans's demise.

(With inputs from IANS)