Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren passed away

Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, founder of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and an inspiration to the tribal community, Shibu Soren (81) passed away on August 4, 2025, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi. He had been suffering from kidney problems for the past few weeks. He breathed his last at 8:56 am after his health deteriorated in the last few days. This news was announced by his son, the current Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, in tears.

Shibu Soren was born on January 11, 1944, in the village of Nemra in present-day Jharkhand. He was determined to fight for tribal rights at an early age. In 1972, he founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) along with his colleagues. As a result of his long struggle for the formation of the state of Jharkhand, a separate state emerged in 2000.

Shibu Soren served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times, first in March 2005 (for just 9 days), second from August 2008 to January 2009, and third from December 2009 to May 2010. He also served as a Rajya Sabha member and the Union Minister for Coal Mines. His entire political career was dedicated to protecting tribal rights, developing the people of the region, and working for the identity of Jharkhand.

Shibu Soren is revered as “Dishom Guru” and “Guruji” in the tribal community. He was not just a politician, but an inspirational personality who made his mark in the minds of the people. He played a key role in making the JMM party a strong party.

Shibu Soren’s death marked the end of an era in Jharkhand politics. The absence of a tribal rights fighter like him and a leader who made an impression on the hearts of the people is a big loss not only in Jharkhand politics but also for the tribal movement across the country. Son Hemant Soren tearfully expressed his father's death, saying, "Today I am completely empty."