Head of Ram temple trust tests +ve

LUCKNOW/AGRA: The head of the trust set up to oversee the Ram temple construction in Ayodhya on Thursday tested positive for Covid-19 in Mathura days after he shared the dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the foundation-stone laying ceremony for the shrine on August 5, officials said. Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, 84, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust chairman, has been shifted to Gurugram’s Medanta hospital for treatment, they added.

“Mahant Nritya Gopal Das has tested positive for coronavirus. [Uttar Pradesh] CM [chief minister Yogi Adityanath] has sought details of the health status of the Mahant. He has spoken to the Mathura DM [district magistrate] and his [Das’s] followers,” said UPS additional chief secretary (home), Awanish Kumar Awasthi. He said Adityanath also spoke to Medanta’s chairman and managing director, Dr Naresh Trehan, and requested him immediate medical attention for Das. “He [Adityanath] directed the Mathura DM [district magistrate Sarvagya Ram Mishra] to provide all possible support to ensure the best possible medical attention,” said Awasthi.