New Delhi, August 4, 2025 — Shibu Soren, Rajya Sabha MP, former Union Minister, three-time Chief Minister of Jharkhand, and co-founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), passed away today at the age of 81. He had been undergoing treatment for over a month at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, where he succumbed to prolonged illness.
Confirming the news, his son and current Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Beloved Dishom Guruji has left us. I lost everything today.”
According to the hospital’s official statement, Mr. Soren was admitted on June 19 under the care of Dr. A.K. Bhalla, Senior Consultant in Nephrology.
“Despite the best efforts of our multidisciplinary team, Mr. Shibu Soren passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025, with his family at his bedside,” the statement said.
A Lifelong Crusader for Tribal Rights
A towering figure in Jharkhand politics, Shibu Soren was a Santhal tribal leader born in Ramgarh (then in Bihar). He entered politics as a grassroots activist and co-founded the JMM in 1972 along with A.K. Roy and Binod Bihari Mahato. He was instrumental in the movement for statehood, which culminated in the formation of Jharkhand in 2000.
Over a political career spanning four decades, Mr. Soren was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and served two terms in the Rajya Sabha, the second ongoing at the time of his death. He first won from the Dumka constituency in 1980, turning it into a stronghold for the JMM until his defeat in 2019 by BJP’s Nalin Soren.
Controversial Yet Influential Tenure
Mr. Soren’s tenure in public office was marked by both achievements and controversies. He became Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times, but none of his terms lasted a full tenure. His first stint in 2005 lasted only nine days due to failure in passing the floor test. Coalition politics cut short his other two terms as well.
As a Union Minister in the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, his journey was turbulent. He had to resign in 2004 due to an arrest warrant related to the 1974 Chirudih riots, was re-inducted, and later resigned again to become CM. In 2006, he returned as Union Coal Minister but had to step down after being convicted in the murder of his secretary, Shashinath Jha—a conviction later overturned by the Delhi High Court.
His final term as Chief Minister ended after the BJP withdrew support when the JMM backed a UPA motion in Parliament, highlighting the unstable nature of alliances during that time.
Tributes Pour In
President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to Soren, calling his death a major loss in the field of social justice:
“He championed tribal identity and statehood. His contribution as CM, Union Minister, and MP, especially toward tribal welfare, will be remembered.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a “grassroots leader” who was committed to the upliftment of tribal communities:
“Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Spoke to CM Hemant Soren Ji to express my condolences. Om Shanti.”
Family and Legacy
Shibu Soren is survived by his wife Roopi Soren, sons Hemant and Basant, and daughter Anjali. His elder son Durga Soren died in 2009. While Hemant now leads the JMM and serves as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister, Basant Soren is an MLA.
