Former CM of Jharkhand Shibu Soren Passes Away

New Delhi Chronicle Desk

A towering tribal leader, founder of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, and three‑time Chief Minister of Jharkhand—Shibu Soren, lovingly known as ‘Dishom Guru,’ passed away on August 4, 2025, in New Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital at the age of 81. Despite receiving treatment since June 19 for kidney-related complications and being on life support for over a month, he departed peacefully at 8:56 a.m., surrounded by family.

Born on January 11, 1944, in Nemra village (then part of Bihar), the loss of his father when he was just 15 years old shaped his resolve and ignited his lifelong commitment to justice and tribal rights. From modest beginnings, he co‑founded Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in 1972 and emerged as the voice of tribal empowerment, leading relentless campaigns for a separate Jharkhand state—a goal realized in 2000.

Soren’s political journey was marked by both achievement and struggle: three tenures as Chief Minister, three stints as Union Minister of Coal, and overcoming major controversies, including legal trials. Surviving an assassination attempt in 2007, he remained defiant and committed to his cause until the end.

His passing triggered tributes from across the Indian political spectrum—Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and state leaders like Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav all hailed his dedication to the poor and tribal communities. Modi visited the hospital, met Soren’s family and called him “a grassroots leader … passionate about empowering tribal communities, the poor and downtrodden.”

His son, current Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, said: “Respected Dishom Guru has left us all. Today, I have become empty,” expressing a profound personal and political void.

Legacy & Reflection

Shibu Soren embodied the struggle from grassroots activism to parliamentary leadership. He dared to take on entrenched feudal powers, tirelessly advocating for tribal land rights and social justice. Under his stewardship, Jharkhand shifted from a dream to a state—and from the margins to the center of Indian politics. Even when judicial and political storms enveloped him, his resolve never wavered.

His legacy is carried forward by his children—most notably Hemant Soren, who continues to champion the values his father lived by. The JMM he founded and the movement he ignited endure as testaments to a life dedicated to the underserved.

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On August 4, 2025, the nation bid farewell to Shibu Soren, a stalwart leader, tribal icon, and pioneer of Jharkhand statehood. Known among his people as Dishom Guru, he embodied decades of struggle and steadfast devotion to the poor and tribal communities. His life was one of deep conviction—from organizing mass agitations against land alienation to serving as Chief Minister and Union Minister, he remained rooted in the principles of equity and empowerment.

His death draws a curtain on an era, but his legacy—through his family, his party, and his people—continues. In this time of mourning, we reflect on a son of the soil who made history, and whose work will live on as a beacon of social justice.

Funeral & Mourning

The Jharkhand Assembly adjourned sine die, and the state government declared three days of official mourning. His body will be flown to Ranchi, taken to the Assembly, and then to his native Nemra village for final rites.

Shibu Soren’s passing reminds us that certain leaders define their times—not by titles, but by the impact they leave on generations. His was a voice of the voiceless, and his memory will continue to guide the pursuit of justice in India’s tribal heartland.