Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founding patron and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Dishom Guru Shibu Soren passed away in the early hours of Monday at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi after a prolonged illness.
His son and current Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the death, saying, "Respected Guru Dishom has left us all. Today, I have become empty".
The veteran tribal leader was suffering from a kidney infection and had also been diagnosed with bronchitis. He was declared dead at 8:56 a.m. on Monday, according to Dr. A.K. Bhalla, Chairman, Department of Nephrology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
"It is sad to inform that Shibu Soren ji was declared dead at 8:56 a.m. today after a prolonged illness," Dr. Bhalla said in a statement.
The JMM leader's son Hemant Soren, his wife, Kalpana Soren, had rushed to Delhi on Sunday evening. His younger son, Basant Soren, is also currently in the Capital.
Shibu Soren played a pivotal role in the movement for the creation of a separate Jharkhand state. After the state’s formation in 2000, he served as Chief Minister for three occasions.
He was elected to the Lok Sabha seven times and also served as Union Coal Minister in the UPA government led by Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2004.
He founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and continued to serve as the party’s patron until his death.
His elder son, Durga Soren, had predeceased him. Durga Soren’s wife, Sita Soren, is currently affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Both Kalpana Soren and Basant Soren are Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Jharkhand.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the JMM leader, saying he was particularly passionate about empowering tribal communities, and the poor and downtrodden.
Modi spoke to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and expressed his condolences.
He said on X, "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."
He added, "Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Spoke to Jharkhand CM Shri Hemant Soren Ji and expressed condolences. Om Shanti."
The Congress party on Monday condoled the passing away of former Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying he fought all his life for a separate Jharkhand state as well as for the rights of its people to water, forest and land.
Kharge spoke with Soren's son and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and conveyed condolences to him and his family.
The Congress also postponed a scheduled press conference by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in view of Shibu Soren's demise.
In a post on X in Hindi, Kharge said, "I am saddened by the demise of former Jharkhand Chief Minister, former Union Minister and founder of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Shibu Soren Ji.
He fought all his life for a separate Jharkhand state and for the rights of its people to water, forest, land and for the protection of tribal culture."
"I spoke to his son and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and expressed my deepest condolences to his family and supporters.
May God give them strength in this hour of grief," the Congress chief said.
President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the death of Shibu Soren and said his demise was a big loss in the space of social justice.
"The demise of Shri Shibu Soren Ji is a big loss in the space of social justice. He championed the cause of tribal identity and formation of the state of Jharkhand," Murmu said in a post on X.
The Jharkhand government declared three-day state mourning in honour of Shibu Soren, according to a statement.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted on X: "A strong voice of the tribal society, Soren ji fought for their rights and interests throughout his life.
His role in the creation of Jharkhand will always be remembered."
In a post on X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "He struggled for decades for the rights and empowerment of the tribal community in Jharkhand. With his simple personality and humble nature, he connected with the masses."
The government has also cancelled all its scheduled programmes during the period, the statement said.
All state government offices will remain closed on August 4 and 5, it said.
"The state government has decided to observe three days of state mourning from August 4 to August 6, 2025, following the death of former Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Shibu Soren this morning at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi," it added.
The national flag will be flown at half-mast at all buildings in Jharkhand, the statement said.
