The last rites of former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren will be performed today in his native village, Nimra, following his passing in Delhi on August 4 after a prolonged illness.
On Monday, thousands gathered at his residence in Ranchi to pay their final respects to the tribal icon and political stalwart who shaped the identity and future of Jharkhand.
Born on January 11, 1944, in Nemra village of Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district, Soren came from a modest Santhal Adivasi farming family. The brutal killing of his father by local zamindars during his childhood sparked his lifelong fight for tribal rights and justice.
A towering figure in Indian tribal politics, Soren co-founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in 1972 alongside AK Roy and Binod Bihari Mahato, with the vision of securing a separate tribal state. That vision was realised in 2000, when Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar.
Soren’s political career spanned over four decades, marked by both towering achievements and legal controversies. He served as Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times, including a brief 10-day term in March 2005, and was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and Rajya Sabha three times. He also served as Union Coal Minister in the UPA government led by Dr. Manmohan Singh.
His grassroots activism in the 1970s, particularly against exploitative landlords and moneylenders, cemented his reputation as a tribal leader and social reformer. His tireless efforts earned him the title of “Guruji” among supporters.
Soren also faced significant legal battles. He was arrested in connection with the 1975 Chirudih massacre and the 1994 murder of his private secretary Shashi Nath Jha, for which he was convicted in 2006 but later acquitted. Despite controversies, his political stature remained unshaken.
In April 2025, Soren officially handed over the JMM presidency to his son Hemant Soren, who currently serves as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
Paying tribute, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi described him as “a strong voice for the tribal community whose role in the formation of Jharkhand will never be forgotten.”
Shibu Soren leaves behind a rich political legacy defined by his unwavering commitment to tribal welfare, statehood, and social justice.
