Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder and veteran tribal leader Shibu Soren passed away on Monday at the age of 81. His son and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren confirmed the news in a post on X, saying, “Respected Dishom Guruji has left us all… I have become ‘shunya’ (zero) today.”
Soren had been undergoing treatment for kidney-related ailments at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi for over a month. Dr A K Bhalla, chairman of the hospital’s Nephrology Department, stated that the leader was declared dead at 8.56 am. He had been on life support for the past month and had suffered a stroke around six weeks ago.
The former chief minister of Jharkhand had a long history of health issues and was admitted to the hospital again in late June. At that time, Hemant Soren had said, “He was admitted here recently, so we came to see him. His health issues are currently being examined.” Just last week, he expressed hope that his father, who had fought many battles, would overcome this health challenge too.
Over his decades-long political career, Shibu Soren emerged as one of the most influential tribal leaders in India. He was instrumental in the formation of the state of Jharkhand in 2000, a long-standing demand of the tribal population. Known for championing the rights of indigenous communities, Soren was elected to the Lok Sabha multiple times and served as Union Coal Minister in the UPA government.
He also held the office of Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times, though his tenures were marked by political turbulence. As the founding leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Soren built the party into a major regional force. His grassroots mobilisation and unwavering advocacy for tribal welfare earned him the title Dishom Guru, meaning “leader of the people” in tribal parlance.
Soren’s political journey began in the early 1970s, and he played a pivotal role in bringing national attention to the exploitation faced by Adivasi communities in the region.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said:
Shri Shibu Soren Ji was a grassroots leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication to the people. He was particularly passionate about empowering tribal communities, the poor and downtrodden. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Spoke to Jharkhand CM Shri Hemant Soren Ji and expressed condolences. Om Shanti.
Shri Shibu Soren Ji was a grassroots leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication to the people. He was particularly passionate about empowering tribal communities, the poor and downtrodden. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 4, 2025
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