Shibu Soren Death News: Former CM and JMM Founder Dies in Delhi Hospital
Shibu Soren Death News: Shibu Soren, one of the tallest tribal leaders India has ever seen and a key architect behind the formation of Jharkhand, passed away at the age of 81. A sitting Rajya Sabha MP and three-time Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Soren had been receiving treatment at Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital since June 19. His condition had remained critical in recent days.
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The news of his demise was confirmed by his son and current Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who posted on X, “Beloved Dishom Guruji has left us. I lost everything today.”
आदरणीय दिशोम गुरुजी हम सभी को छोड़कर चले गए हैं।
आज मैं शून्य हो गया हूँ...
— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) August 4, 2025
The hospital released an official statement saying, “Despite the best efforts of our medical team, Mr. Shibu Soren passed away peacefully on 4th August 2025. We offer our condolences to his family and the people of Jharkhand, who have lost a beloved mass leader.”
From Santhal Roots to Statehood Champion
Born in Ramgarh (then part of Bihar), Shibu Soren belonged to the Santhal community. His early alliance with Leftist leader AK Roy and Binod Bihari Mahato led to the creation of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in 1972—a movement that was instrumental in the demand for a separate tribal state. That dream materialized in 2000 with the formation of Jharkhand.
A Turbulent Political Journey
Soren's political career spanned over four decades. Elected to the Lok Sabha eight times, starting from Dumka in 1980, he became a household name in tribal politics. Despite his popularity, he faced electoral defeat in Dumka in 2019 to BJP’s Nalin Soren.
His tenure as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister was marked by political instability. He served three times as CM, but none of his terms lasted long due to shifting coalition dynamics. His first stint in 2005 ended within nine days when he failed the floor test.
At the Centre, Soren was part of the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government in 2004 as the Union Coal Minister. However, controversies marred his journey. He resigned after an arrest warrant in the 1974 Chirudih case, only to return later. In 2007, he was convicted in the murder case of his secretary Shashinath Jha—making him the first sitting Union Minister to be convicted for murder. He was later acquitted by the Delhi High Court.
His final term as CM ended after the BJP withdrew support when his party backed a motion by the UPA in Parliament.
Tributes Pour In
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief on social media, writing, “Shibu Soren Ji was a grassroots leader who rose with unwavering commitment to uplift the tribal and underprivileged communities. Deeply saddened by his passing. Spoke to CM Hemant Soren and conveyed my condolences.”
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
A Family Steeped in Politics
Soren is survived by his wife Roopi, sons Hemant and Basant, and daughter Anjali. His son Durga passed away in 2009. While Hemant currently serves as Jharkhand's Chief Minister and heads the JMM, Basant is an MLA.
Shibu Soren’s legacy lies not just in the offices he held, but in the identity he helped shape for millions of tribal people in Jharkhand and beyond.
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