New Delhi, April 9 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday emphasised the importance of Jain literature in shaping India's rich intellectual and spiritual heritage, calling it the "backbone of India's intellectual grandeur."

Addressing a gathering at the 'Navkar Mahamantra Divas' at Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital, PM Modi said that preserving ancient Jain texts is a national duty.

"The literature of Jainism is the backbone of India's intellectual grandeur. Preserving this knowledge is our duty," he stated.

The Prime Minister highlighted the government's decision to grant Classical Language status to Prakrit and Pali -- two ancient Indian languages deeply intertwined with Jain and Buddhist traditions.

"That is why we have g...