JMM Founder Shibu Soren Passes Away at 81; PM Modi, Leaders Pay Tribute to ‘Grassroots Icon’

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) supremo and former Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren passed away on Monday at the age of 81, his son and current CM Hemant Soren confirmed.

“Respected Dishom Guruji has left us all. Today, I feel completely empty,” Hemant Soren wrote on X, mourning the death of his father, a towering figure in tribal politics.

Soren had been undergoing treatment at Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for over a month and was on ventilator support due to kidney complications. He was hospitalised in the last week of June and had been receiving prolonged care.

Fondly known as “Guruji,” Soren was the founding force behind JMM and led the party for nearly four decades. He was a three-time chief minister of Jharkhand and served multiple terms in the Lok Sabha representing Dumka. He also held the post of Union Coal Minister during his long political career.

Nation Pays Tribute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to pay tribute, remembering Soren as a committed grassroots leader who worked tirelessly for tribal welfare.

“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 family and admirers. Spoke to Jharkhand CM Shri Hemant Soren Ji and expressed condolences. Om Shanti,” PM Modi posted on X.

Condolences also poured in from across the political spectrum for the tribal rights champion, whose legacy shaped the formation and politics of Jharkhand.