Former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren passes away; President, Modi pay tributes

  President Droupadi Murmu expressed her sorrow over the passing of former Jharkhand Chief Minister and founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Shibu Soren, calling his demise a "big loss" in the field of social justice.

 Shibu Soren passed away at the age of 81 in New Delhi's Ganga Ram Hospital after a prolonged illness.

 Taking to X, President Murmu posted, "The demise of Shri Shibu Soren Ji is a big loss in the space of social justice. He championed the cause of tribal identity and formation of the state of Jharkhand. Besides his work at the grassroots, he also contributed as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, as a Union Minister and as a Member of Parliament."

 "His emphasis on the welfare of the people, especially the tribal communities, will always be remembered. I extend my deepest condolences to his son and Chief Minister of Jharkhand Shri Hemant Soren Ji, other family members and admirers," she added.

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here to pay his tributes to the late leader.

 Soren, 81, had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for over a month due to kidney-related complications.

 During his visit, Prime Minister Modi also met Soren’s son, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and other family members to express his condolences in person.

 "Went to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to pay homage to Shri Shibu Soren Ji. Also met his family. My thoughts are with Hemant Ji, Kalpana Ji, and the admirers of Shri Shibu Soren Ji," PM Modi posted on X.

 Shibu Soren's passing was announced by his son, Hemant Soren, on Monday.

 "Respected Guru Dishom has left us all. Today, I have become empty..." wrote Hemant Soren on his X handle in Hindi.

 'An irreparable loss'

 The Congress party, from its official handle on X, also paid rich tribute to the late tribal leader, hailing his lifelong struggle for justice and tribal rights.

 "The demise of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shri Shibu Soren Ji is an irreparable loss to Indian politics. Shibu Soren Ji's entire life is a symbol of the struggle for justice and upliftment of the tribal community. His passing marks the end of an era. May God grant the departed soul a place at His divine feet and provide strength to the grieving family to bear this sorrow. Om Shanti."

 The hospital, in its statement, said, "He died after a prolonged illness. He was suffering from a kidney ailment and had also suffered a stroke, a month and a half ago. He was on the life support system for the last month."

 'Grassroots leader'

The Prime Minister had then taken to X to mourn Soren’s passing, describing him as a "grassroots leader” who dedicated his life to the upliftment of tribal communities and the underprivileged. 

"Shri Shibu Soren Ji was a grassroots leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication to the people. He was particularly passionate about empowering tribal communities, the poor and downtrodden."

"Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Spoke to Jharkhand CM Shri Hemant Soren Ji and expressed condolences. Om Shanti," he added.

Dishom Guru 

Popularly addressed as "Guruji" or "Dishom Guru" in his home state, Soren served thrice as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand in 2005, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010. His tenures were, however, often short due to political challenges. 

Born on January 11, 1944, in Nemra village, then part of Bihar, Soren belonged to the Santal (Santhal) tribal group. 

He formed the Santhal Navyuvak Sangh, an organisation focused on tribal liberation and land rights, when he was 18 years old. 

In 1972, he cofounded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha with A.K. Roy and Binod Bihari Mahato, seeking a separate Jharkhand state and tribal uplift, and later became its General Secretary. 

He played a pivotal role in the separate state movement, contributing to the eventual formation of Jharkhand in 2000. 

Over a four-decade career in politics, Soren was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and served as a Rajya Sabha member for two terms, with the second stint ongoing. 

Bihar leaders voice grief 

RJD National President and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav called it an "irreparable loss." 

"He was our friend, and we always worked together. His death is a loss not just for Jharkhand, but for the country and the tribal movement. He consistently fought for the poor, the deprived, and the tribal communities. The void his passing has left will be hard to fill. May God grant peace to his soul and strength to his family," Yadav said in a condolence message.

 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also expressed deep sorrow. "Shibu Soren was a prominent political figure and served as Jharkhand's Chief Minister three times. His contribution to Jharkhand's politics and society was immense. His demise is a major loss for the entire country. I pray for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to his family and admirers," Kumar posted on social media. 

JDU leader and MLC Neeraj Kumar remembered Soren as a "symbol of struggle and hope" for tribal communities across India. 

"He worked for those who stood at the end of the social line. A tribal leader reaching the heights of Indian politics was a powerful message of empowerment. His demise is a painful loss for every citizen of this nation," he said.

Indo-Asian News Service