Veteran politician, former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren dies at 81
Shibu Soren, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), passed away on Monday morning at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi.
He was 81.
Soren, fondly known as ‘Dishom Guru’ among his supporters, succumbed to chronic kidney disease and other health complications, including a recent stroke, after being on ventilator support for over a month.
His son, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, announced the news on X, writing, “Respected Dishom Guruji has left us all. Today, I have become empty…”
The hospital confirmed Soren’s death at 8:56 AM, stating, “Despite the best efforts of our multidisciplinary medical team, Shibu Soren passed away peacefully with his family by his bedside.”
Born on January 11, 1944, in Nemra village of Ramgarh district, Soren emerged as a towering figure in Jharkhand’s political landscape.
A Santhal Adivasi, he co-founded the JMM in 1973, championing tribal rights and leading the movement for a separate Jharkhand state, which was realised in 2000.
His activism began in the 1970s, driven by personal tragedy after his father’s murder by moneylenders, pushing him to organise tribals against exploitation.
Soren served as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister three times—briefly in 2005, from 2008 to 2009, and from 2009 to 2010.
He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Dumka eight times and served as a Rajya Sabha MP thrice, including at the time of his death.
He also held the portfolio of Union Coal Minister in 2004 and 2006.
Despite his achievements, Soren’s career was marred by legal battles, including a conviction in the 1994 murder case of his secretary, from which he was later acquitted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Soren’s death, saying, “Shri Shibu Soren Ji was a grassroots leader who rose through the ranks with unwavering dedication to the people. He was particularly passionate about empowering tribal communities, the poor and downtrodden. Pained by his passing away.”
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “A strong voice for the tribal community, Soren Ji fought tirelessly for their rights. His role in the formation of Jharkhand will always be remembered.”
”As one of the key architects of Jharkhand’s statehood movement, he transformed decades of Adivasi assertion into a political force that gave birth to a new state,” said Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K.Stalin.
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee called him “a towering figure whose voice gave strength to generations of Adivasis.”
President Droupadi Murmu termed Soren’s death “a big loss in the space of social justice,” highlighting his contributions to tribal welfare and statehood.
“Everything has become desolate…Final greetings to respected Baba…Your struggle, your love, your convictions — your daughter will never forget them,” read a post by Shibu Soren’s daughter in law and JMM leader Kalpana Soren.
The Jharkhand government declared a three-day state mourning, and the Jharkhand Assembly adjourned its monsoon session sine die.
All government schools in the state will remain closed on Tuesday.
Soren is survived by his wife, Roopi Kisku, sons Hemant and Basant, and daughter Anjali. His eldest son, Durga, passed away earlier.
The JMM, under Hemant’s leadership since April 2025, continues to carry forward Soren’s legacy as its founding patron.
For many in Jharkhand, Shibu Soren remains an enduring symbol of the struggle for tribal identity and self-rule.
