Tribal icon Shibu Soren dies at 81

Veteran tribal leader and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, fondly known as ‘Dishom Guru’, passed away on Monday at the age of 81.

The news was confirmed by his son and current state Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The 81-year-old had been undergoing treatment for age-related ailments, including kidney complications, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi since late June. He was on ventilator support in recent days and breathed his last on Monday. He is survived by his wife, Roopi Soren, and his three children.

Born on January 11, 1944, at Nemra village (now in Jharkhand), Soren emerged from modest tribal roots to become one of the tallest political figures in eastern India. He founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in 1972 and led the decades-long movement for a separate Jharkhand state, representing the aspirations of the Santhal tribal community.

Soren served as the Jharkhand CM three times — briefly in 2005, and again in 2008-09 and 2009-10. He was also a multiple-term MP from Dumka, served in the Rajya Sabha and held the position of the Union Coal Minister in the early 2000s.

Soren was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Dumka in 1980, after a failed bid in 1977. He went on to serve multiple terms in Parliament and was appointed Union Coal Minister in 2004 during the UPA government. But his ministerial stint was cut short when an arrest warrant in an old case forced his resignation. He returned briefly to the Cabinet later that year after securing bail.

In 2005, Soren became the Jharkhand CM, but his government lasted just nine days after he failed to prove his majority. He returned as CM again in 2008 and 2009, leading a fragile alliance.

One of the darkest chapters in Soren’s life came in 2006, when he was convicted for the abduction and murder of his former secretary Shashinath Jha. The case linked back to the alleged 1993 JMM bribery scandal to save the Narasimha Rao government.

Soren was sentenced to life imprisonment, becoming the first sitting Union Minister to be convicted of murder. However, in 2007, the Delhi High Court acquitted him, citing lack of credible evidence and gaps in the trial court’s reasoning.

Despite controversies during his career, Soren remained a formidable grassroots leader, and under his leadership, the JMM became a dominant force in Jharkhand’s tribal and regional politics. His family, including sons Hemant and Basant, continues to wield significant political influence in the state.

PM, President pay tribute

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and paid their last respects to the departed leader. The PM said he was pained by Soren’s demise. “Soren Ji was a grassroots leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication to the people. He was passionate about empowering tribal communities, the poor and downtrodden. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Spoke to Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and expressed condolences. Om Shanti,” the PM posted on X. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi called Soren a strong voice for the tribal community who fought tirelessly for their rights and entitlements. “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of Jharkhand’s former Chief Minister and senior JMM leader Shibu Soren Ji...His role in the formation of Jharkhand will always be remembered. I express my deepest condolences to Hemant Soren, the entire Soren family, and all of Guruji’s supporters,” Rahul said.