The head of the Ram Janmabhoomi trust in Ayodhya, who shared stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other VIPs during the groundbreaking ceremony for a Ram Temple last week, has tested positive for coronavirus.

Mahant Nritya Gopal Das was among the five people on the stage at the grand ceremony at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on August 5.

The others on the stage were Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Anandiben Patel and Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP's ideological mentor.

A statement from the chief minister's office said the CM had spoken to DM Mathura, Das' followers and Dr Trehan of Medanta Hospital. Adityanath requested for immediate medical attention towards Das' condition at Medanta, the statement said. It added that he has directed Mathura District Magistrate to provide all possible support and medical attention to the patient.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust was formed earlier in the year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced its formation on February 5. It was set up to oversee construction of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

Days before the ceremony, a priest, Pradeep Das, and 14 policemen on duty in the Ram Janambhoomi complex had also tested positive for coronavirus.