Ram Temple trust head Nritya Gopal Das, who shared stage with PM Modi, tests positive for coronavirus

Ram Janmabhoomi trust head Nritya Gopal Das has tested positive for novel coronavirus infection. He was on stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the groundbreaking ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on August 5, as per a report by NDTV.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the bhoomi poojan and laid the foundation stone for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, on August 5. Nritya Gopal Das, PM Modi, Governor Anandiben Patel and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present on stage.

Track this LIVE blog for all the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic

Prior to the ceremony, PM Modi and UP CM Adityanath participated in the 'pooja' and 'darshan' at Hanumangarhi temple. From there, they travelled to the 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi' where Modi performed prayers at the 'Bhagwan Shree Ramlala Virajman'. He also planted a Parijat (Indian night jasmine) sapling.

Days before the ceremony in Ayodhya, a priest, Pradeep Das, and 16 policemen in Ayodhya had also tested positive for coronavirus.  Priest Pradeep Das is one of the four priests who regularly perform puja at the Ram Temple site in Ayodhya.

On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court of India (SC) -- in a historic judgment -- awarded the disputed land in Ayodhya to Ram Lalla Virajman and directed the Centre to form a trust within three months to oversee the construction of the temple.

Consequently, the ‘Sri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra’, which is responsible for the temple’s construction, was established in February.

Click here for Moneycontrol's coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak