Grassroots leader and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren passes away at 81; Prime Minister Modi expresses condolences over his demise
Prominent Tribal Leader and Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren Passes Away
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, a towering figure in the state's politics and a champion of tribal rights, passed away at the age of 81 on X. The news of his demise has sent shockwaves across the political spectrum, with leaders from various parties expressing their condolences and paying tribute to his significant contributions.
Soren, known as "Dishom Guru" (leader of the land), co-founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in 1972-73 and played a crucial role in the movement for a separate Jharkhand state, which was achieved in 2000. He was deeply respected for his role in the movement and was a key advocate for the rights, land justice, and social welfare of tribal people in the region.
Over the course of his political career, Soren served as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Dumka constituency seven times and later in the Rajya Sabha from 2020 until his passing in 2025. He was Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times, albeit for relatively short periods, and also held the position of Union Minister for Coal between 2004-2006 under the UPA government.
Soren's personal history of hardship, including the early murder of his father, fueled his lifelong commitment to tribal rights and justice. His leadership of the tribal movement and JMM for over four decades reshaped the political identity of Jharkhand, giving tribal communities a distinct voice and regional autonomy. He is remembered as a foundational figure in Jharkhand's statehood and tribal political empowerment.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh honoured Soren's loss and his contribution towards Jharkhand. Current Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, condoled his demise, as did Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who highlighted his struggle for the rights of the tribal community. Jairam Ramesh, the External Affairs Minister, was deeply saddened by Soren's loss, while Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi offered prayers for Hemant Soren and his family.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav called Soren a towering leader of Dalits and tribals, while BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo referred to him as the Father figure in the Jharkhand agitation. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi condoled Soren's loss, calling him a legend and a stalwart. Shiv Sena MP Dhairyasheel Mane said the entire nation will feel the loss of the leader.
Shibu Soren was admitted to Sir Ganagaram Hospital in Delhi last week due to previous ailments and his condition was critical, with him placed on ventilator support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a heartfelt message on X condoling the loss of Shibu Soren.
[1] Jharkhand Mukti Morcha [2] Shibu Soren [3] Jharkhand [4] Tribal Rights and Justice in India
[5] Despite his passing, discussions and debates around policy-and-legislation for the betterment of tribal communities and finance-migration issues continue to unfold in the defi-market.
[6] In the world of sports, specifically football, the premier-league and European-leagues were momentarily paused in tribute to Shibu Soren, with sports-analysis segments highlighting his impact on sports-betting markets.
[7] Amidst the general-news, political conversations revolve around his legacy, while war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice stories take a more sobering tone in the aftermath of his demise.
[8] The tragic incidents of car-accidents, fires, and other calamities, which occurred concurrently, continued to require immediate attention and decisive action from local authorities.
[9] As the nation mourns and attempts to process the loss of a defining figure in regional and tribal politics, it becomes increasingly important to uphold and advance his values, fostering peace, justice, and economic prosperity for the people of Jharkhand.
