Ranchi/New Delhi, August 4, 2025 — Shibu Soren, the towering tribal leader who spearheaded the movement for Jharkhand statehood and founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has passed away in New Delhi at the age of 81. He died peacefully at 8:56 a.m. on August 4, 2025, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, after more than a month on life support due to kidney complications and a recent stroke.
From Humble Beginnings to Mass Leader
Born in 1944 in Nemra village, then part of Bihar and now in Ramgarh district, Soren hailed from the Santhal community. At just 18, he formed the Santhal Navyuvak Sangh, a grassroots organization fighting for tribal rights. In 1972, he co-founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha alongside A.K. Roy and Binod Bihari Mahato
Soren led the long struggle for tribal dignity and Jharkhand’s statehood, fiercely protective of land rights. He was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and served as a Rajya Sabha MP for two terms. His leadership earned him the reverential title “Dishom Guruji” among the Santhal and tribal communities
Political Journey: Power, Trials, Resilience
Soren served as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister three times, though each tenure was cut short by coalition challenges. In 2005, his first term lasted only nine days. He later served briefly in 2008–09 and 2009–10
He joined the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2004 as Coal Minister. However, legal controversies—including a warrant in the 1974 Chirudih case and later conviction in a murder case—forced his resignation. He was eventually acquitted by the Delhi High Court
Soren Family Reacts: Loss Deeply Personal
His son, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, shared the heartbreaking news on X, calling his father “Beloved Dishom Guruji” and saying, “I lost everything today” . President Droupadi Murmu mourned him as a pioneer for tribal identity and social justice, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as “a grassroots leader… passionate about empowering tribal communities, the poor and downtrodden”
The Simple Life Behind the Legacy
Known for his austere lifestyle, Soren abstained from alcohol and tobacco, enjoyed home-cooked food, especially chapatis, greens, sattu, and tea—often preparing meals himself. Those close to him describe him as deeply connected to his roots
A Legacy That Shaped Jharkhand
Shibu Soren’s four-decade political journey reshaped the tribal and political landscape of Jharkhand. From land rights activism and demanding a separate tribal state to leading his people in Parliament and state politics, his life symbolized struggle, conviction, and endurance
He is survived by his wife Roopi, sons Hemant and Basant, and daughter Anjali. His elder son Durga passed away in 2009. Hemant Soren—now both Chief Minister and JMM president—continues the political legacy of the Soren family, one of the most enduring political lineages in Jharkhand
His story isn’t just political—it’s personal. From humble tribal struggles in rural Jharkhand to national leadership, Shibu Soren’s journey echoes through India’s modern history. His passing marks not just the loss of a leader, but the close of a defining chapter in tribal empowerment and state-building.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | August 4, 2025, 8:56 a.m. |
| Age | 81 |
| Cause | Kidney illness, stroke; over a month on life support |
| Political Highlights | JMM founder, 3‑time CM, Union Minister, MP 8× |
| Key Legacy | Tribal rights & creation of Jharkhand |
| Family | Survived by wife Roopi; children Hemant, Basant, Anjali |
His life was a mirror of tribal aspiration, and his passing deeply felt. Jharkhand and India have lost a champion of the marginalized.