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PM Modi's Condolences: Jharkhand's Tribal Icon Shibu Soren Has Died at the Age of 81.

On 4 August 2025, India faces a loss,  Shibu Soren, the honored tribal leader and former chief minister of Jharkhand, died in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi. After years and years of struggle for tribal rights and endeavouring for social justice, Soren immersed himself in the vibrant politics of Jharkhand. His contributions left a complex legacy for the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) patriarch, who died of a long illness, age 81 after struggling with kidney failure.

Numerous political leaders and dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, paid their emotional tributes to Shibu Soren in their own ways, while his son, the Current Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, mourned our family 'Dishom Guru’ ( great leader). 

A Lifetime of Serving the Indian Tribal Community

Shibu Soren (1944, Nemra Village) transitioned from grassroots activism to leading Jharkhand’s statehood campaign following the founding of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in 1973. He fought for land rights for tribals, fought mines and mine owners who exploited the tribal poor, and ushered Jharkhand into existence after many decades of struggle in 2000. 

Even after serving three troubled terms as Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a term as Union Coal Minister, the marginalized people of Jharkhand knew and honored him as ‘Guruji’. 

PM Modi visited the hospital to offer condolences on the death of Shibu Soren to Hemant Soren and other political leaders too. ( source: Times Of India)

Political Leaders Gather to Honor a Legend

PM Modi visited Hemant Soren at the hospital to assure leadership to the state after the death of his father.  In recognizing the impact of "grassroots" leader Shibu Soren for empowering tribal communities. President Murmu had questioned the assembly, where she provided praise for Soren and related to how Soren was burying his father. 

PM Modi's post on X (Twitter) paying condolences to Hemant Soren on the death of Shibu Soren. ( Source: Times of India)

Opposition leaders went one step further in imagining their constituents and the mirrored relationship with how Soren influenced the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, JMM, Soren's, and how we imagine Jharkhand. They made little progress in the state assembly. Eventually, the assembly adjourned indefinitely with a chant of ‘‘Shibu Soren Amar Rahe. 

President Droupadi Murmu posted on X (Twitter), paying condolences to Hemant Soren on the death of Shibu Soren. ( source: Times Of India)

Legal Battle and Political Resilience 

Soren has been involved in controversial cases that led to two significant pardons in the case of the 1975 Chirudih massacre and the 1994 murder of his secretary. Critics condemned Soren's homicide alliances as reckless, while supporters pointed out the resilience he developed. 

He had come to represent overcoming tough circumstances. In 2007, an assassination attempt against Soren after a transit illustrated the complex nature of his polarizing legacy.

Funeral and State Mourning

Soren's remains were transported to Ranchi, where thousands received the opportunity to say their last goodbyes. The state announced three days of mourning, and arrangements were being made at his native village for the rituals. The Congress party eventually postponed a protest gathering in Bengaluru to attend Soren's funeral instead.

A Tribal Icon’s Farewell, A Vision That Lives On

Shibu Soren’s death marks the close of a period for tribal politics in India. From pursuing Jharkhand’s statehood to surviving all the political storms, his legacy of being a warrior of the disempowered and oppressed will continue to remain. As praise cascades in, his vision for just development remains compelling. 

His last legacy of ‘just development’ and the results of Shibu’s contribution, empowering tribal people, will prevail,  inspiring generations who are in yet another fight for social justice and equitable development.