Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid homage to Shibu Soren, the veteran tribal leader, founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, who passed away in New Delhi at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness.
PM Modi visited Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, where the late leader was undergoing treatment, and met with his grieving family, including Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
“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,” the Prime Minister wrote on social media platform X, also sharing images from the hospital.
Earlier, the PM described Soren as a “grassroots leader” and praised his lifelong commitment to tribal welfare and social justice.
“He was particularly passionate about empowering tribal communities, the poor and downtrodden. Pained by his passing away,” Modi said, adding that he had spoken to CM Hemant Soren to offer condolences.
The Jharkhand government announced a three-day state mourning from August 4 to August 6 in memory of the former CM. The national flag will fly at half-mast, and no official functions will be held during this period. Government offices across the state remained closed as a mark of respect.
The Monsoon Session of the Jharkhand Assembly was adjourned sine die following the news of Soren’s demise, Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato confirmed.
Popularly known as “Dishom Guru,” Shibu Soren led the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for 38 years and was instrumental in the creation of a separate Jharkhand state in 2000. He served three terms as Chief Minister and was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times. He also served two terms in the Rajya Sabha and was a former Union Minister.
Soren co-founded the JMM with A.K. Roy and Binod Bihari Mahato, championing the rights of tribals and launching a mass movement for land, forest, and water rights.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed deep sorrow over Soren’s passing.
“He struggled for decades for the rights and empowerment of the tribal community in Jharkhand. With his simple personality and humble nature, he connected with the masses,” Shah said.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute, hailing Soren’s decades-long fight for tribal culture, land rights, and Jharkhand’s statehood.
“He dedicated his life to the people of Jharkhand and their aspirations,” Kharge wrote on X.
Senior DMK leaders A. Raja and T.R. Baalu were also seen at the hospital offering condolences.
Shibu Soren had been hospitalised for over a month, suffering from kidney complications and recovering from a stroke he suffered around six weeks ago. He was on life support in his final days.
His death marks the end of a towering political legacy rooted in tribal rights, grassroots leadership, and regional identity — one that shaped the very foundation of modern-day Jharkhand.