Veteran tribal leader Shibu Soren dies at 81

Veteran tribal leader and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren breathed his last on Monday morning.
Shibu Soren, widely known as ‘Dishom Guru’, was 81 and his demise marks the end of a political era that saw tribal movement rise to national prominence.
Shibu Soren was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Delhi for over a month for kidney-related problems and was on life support.
“Respected Dishom Guruji has left us all… I have become ‘shunya’ (zero) today,” his son and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren posted on X.
The news of Soren’s demise led to an outpouring of grief across political lines, with national leaders, state heads and party workers paying rich tributes to the JMM patriarch who played a pivotal role in the creation of Jharkhand.
President Droupadi Murmu who visited Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, described his death as a “big loss in the space of social justice,” highlighting his lifelong efforts for tribal welfare and statehood for Jharkhand.
In a message on X, she noted his work at the grassroots and contributions as chief minister, Union minister, and parliamentarian.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also visited Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to pay his respects to the late leader, said in a post on X that Shibu Soren was a grassroots leader with unwavering dedication to the poor and tribal communities.
Shibu Soren had been undergoing treatment at the hospital since June 19 under the care of Dr A K Bhalla, Senior Consultant, Nephrology. Dr Bhalla said Shibu Soren was declared dead at 8.56 am.
Shibu Soren had been the leader of the JMM for the past 38 years. As a mark of respect, the Jharkhand government declared a three-day state mourning beginning August 4.
All state events have been cancelled and government offices will remain shut on August 4 and 5.
The ongoing monsoon session of the Jharkhand Assembly, which began on August 1, was adjourned sine die following the announcement of his death.
Shibu Soren’s mortal remains were flown to Ranchi in a special aircraft from Delhi, accompanied by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his legislator wife Kalpana Soren, and MLA brother Basant Soren.
As the aircraft touched down at Birsa Munda Airport, JMM workers, party leaders and supporters had gathered, chanting slogans of ‘Dishom Guru Amar Rahe’ as the body was received.
According to JMM sources, the body will be taken to Soren’s native village Nemra in Ramgarh district on Tuesday, where his final rites will be performed with full state honours.
Shibu Soren, who founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in the early 1970s, had been at the helm of the party for nearly four decades.
He served multiple terms as Chief Minister of Jharkhand and was a minister in the Union Cabinet.
Soren is survived by his wife Roopi Soren, sons including Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Basant Soren, and other family members.