Shibu Soren, a towering figure in Indian tribal politics and a key architect behind the creation of Jharkhand state, has died at the age of 81. His son, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, announced his passing on Monday. Soren had been undergoing treatment in New Delhi for kidney-related complications and had been on life support following a stroke last month.
Known affectionately as Dishom Guru, meaning “great leader” in Santhali, Soren leaves behind a legacy spanning over four decades in Indian politics. He co-founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in 1973, a regional political force that championed the rights of tribal communities and was instrumental in the campaign that led to the formation of Jharkhand in 2000. His life’s mission was rooted in the upliftment and political empowerment of India’s indigenous tribes, particularly in the mineral-rich but economically deprived eastern region.
Soren served three separate terms as Jharkhand’s chief minister, although none lasted a full term due to persistent political instability in the state. He also briefly held the position of India’s federal coal minister in 2004, but was forced to resign after being convicted in a murder case though he was later acquitted in 2018 after a prolonged legal battle.
Despite these controversies, Soren remained a revered figure among his supporters, particularly among the Santhal tribe, one of India’s largest tribal communities. Hemant Soren, while announcing his father’s death, wrote on X, “Our respected Dishom Guru has left us. I have nothing left.”
Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as “a grassroots leader who rose through the ranks with unwavering dedication.” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called him “the pivotal figure in the Jharkhand movement,” while Maharashtra’s Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, “For the people of Jharkhand, he was no less than a god.”
Former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, once a rival, expressed “deep sorrow” and praised Soren as a champion of Dalits and tribal communities.
Shibu Soren’s death marks the end of an era in Indian regional politics and tribal advocacy.
