Renowned Digambar Jain monk Acharya Vidyasagar passed away in this district’s Dongargarh on Sunday following a brief illness.

He was 77.

In a message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “His invaluable endeavours vis-à-vis spiritual awakening of the masses shall always be remembered. Throughout his life, he was instrumental in poverty alleviation besides encouraging health and education.”

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Assembly Speaker Raman Singh, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, his predecessor Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and others expressed grief.

Half a day’s state mourning was declared in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

(With UNI inputs)