Shibu Soren, Former Jharkhand Chief Minister, Dies At 81

Jharkhand (The Uttam Hindu): Shibu Soren, a towering figure in Jharkhand politics and one of the founding members of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), passed away today at the age of 81. He had been undergoing treatment at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi for over a month with his condition deteriorating in recent days.

His son, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, confirmed the news on social media expressing deep grief by stating, “Beloved Dishom Guruji has left us. I lost everything today.” Shibu Soren played a pivotal role in the movement for a separate Jharkhand state. Born in the Ramgarh district (then part of Bihar) he belonged to the Santhal community and co-founded the JMM in 1972 alongside AK Roy and Binod Bihari Mahato. His efforts were instrumental in the creation of Jharkhand in 2000.

Over his four-decade-long political journey, he was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and was serving his second term in the Rajya Sabha at the time of his passing. Dumka from where he was first elected in 1980 became his political bastion for years though he lost the seat in 2019. Soren briefly served as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister in 2005 but had to step down within nine days after failing to secure a majority in the Assembly. He also held various portfolios as a Union Minister during his career. Shibu Soren's legacy as a tribal leader and champion of Jharkhand’s identity remains deeply etched in the state’s political and social landscape.