On August 4, 2025, veteran tribal leader and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren passed away in Delhi at the age of 81. He had been on ventilator support for over a month at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, battling kidney-related complications.
Confirmed by Hemant Soren
His son and Jharkhand Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, announced the news on social media, stating: “Beloved Dishom Guruji has left us. I’m left with nothing.” The Jharkhand Assembly was adjourned sine die as a mark of respect.
National Mourning
- PM Narendra Modi expressed grief, calling him “a grassroots leader dedicated to tribal upliftment.”
- President Droupadi Murmu, herself from a tribal background, termed his passing a major loss to India’s social justice movement.
- Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal also paid tribute.
Last Rites & Tributes
Shibu Soren mortal remains are being transported to Ranchi, where state honors will be accorded. A statewide mourning period of three days has been declared. Leaders across political lines are expected to attend the final rites. A memorial service will be held at the Morabadi Ground in Ranchi, expected to draw thousands of supporters and tribal leaders.
A sea of JMM flags has already filled the streets, with followers chanting “Dishom Guru Amar Rahe” as his convoy passes. Schools and government offices remain closed as part of the official mourning.
Reactions from the Ground
In Jharkhand’s Santhal Parganas region, which shaped Shibu Soren political career, village elders and activists held vigils and remembered him as a father figure of the tribal identity movement. “He taught us to walk with pride,” said JMM worker Rajmani Murmu in Dumka. In Bokaro and Dhanbad, thousands marched in torchlight processions.
Local media reported emotional scenes at the JMM office in Ranchi, where party workers were seen embracing and crying. “He wasn’t just our leader, he was our belief system,” said a young tribal student attending the vigil.
A Movement Ends, a Legacy Lives On
Shibu Soren leaves behind a legacy of tribal empowerment, social justice advocacy, and statehood activism. As Jharkhand’s most iconic political figure, his demise signals the end of an era, but his ideals remain deeply embedded in the region’s identity and political consciousness.
Political analysts believe his death could reshape Jharkhand’s political landscape, placing greater pressure on Hemant Soren to carry forward his father’s legacy while facing governance challenges. Meanwhile, many are calling for the renaming of Ranchi University or the Jharkhand Assembly Hall in his honor.
The flame lit by Dishom Guru may have dimmed—but it hasn’t gone out. His vision for a self-respecting, tribal-centric Jharkhand will remain a compass for future generations.
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Author: Team BTP
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