The Jharkhand government has declared a three-day state mourning to honour the passing of veteran tribal leader and former Chief Minister Shibu Soren, who died on August 4 at the age of 81. He had been under treatment at Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for over a month and his condition was critical for the past few days.
Popularly known as ‘Guruji’, Soren was a towering figure in Jharkhand politics and a key architect in the statehood movement. His death marks the end of an era in regional and tribal leadership.
As a mark of respect, all official functions and entertainment events have been cancelled during the mourning period. The national flag will fly at half-mast across the state from August 4 to August 6.
Soren served as Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times and was also a Union Cabinet Minister. He played a pivotal role in the formation of Jharkhand and championed the rights of tribal communities throughout his political career.
Soren’s son and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren shared the news of his father’s death on X. “Beloved Dishom Guruji has left us. I lost everything today,” he said.
Leaders across party lines have expressed deep condolences, hailing Soren’s lifelong commitment to the upliftment of the marginalized. Funeral arrangements are underway, and state officials are expected to participate in the final rites.
President Droupadi Murmu said Soren’s death is a big loss “in the space of social justice”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Soren as a “grassroots leader”.
Soren is survived by wife Roopi Soren, sons Hemant and Basant and daughter Anjali. His son Durga Soren died in 2009. While Hemant is the Jharkhand Chief Minister and recently took charge as the JMM president, Basant is an MLA.
