Former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren passes away at 81, PM Modi, other leaders mourn demise

NEW DELHI: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMMM), Shibu Soren, passed away after prolonged illness at the age of 81 on Monday morning in New Delhi.

Jharkhand Chief Minister and his son Hemant Soren confirmed the demise of the leader in a post on X. “Respected Dishom Guruji has left us all. Today, I am devastated”, Hemant Soren said.

आदरणीय दिशोम गुरुजी हम सभी को छोड़कर चले गए हैं।

आज मैं शून्य हो गया हूँ…

— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) August 4, 2025

According to the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital in the national capital, where the former Chief Minister was admitted, Shibu Soren was suffering from kidney ailment and had suffered a stroke one-and-half months ago. He was on life support for the past one month.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the demise of former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and leader of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Shibu Soren. PM Modi remembered Shibu Soren’s work for empowering tribal communities and the poor.

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…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 4, 2025

Sharing an X post, PM Modi wrote, “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”.

The Prime Minister spoke to Shibu Soren’s son and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, and expressed condolences. “My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Spoke to Jharkhand CM Shri Hemant Soren Ji and expressed condolences. Om Shanti”, the X post read.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh too condoled the unfortunate demise of Shibu Soren  and recalled his contributions to the struggle for rights and empowerment of the tribal community.

झारखंड के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री और देश के वरिष्ठतम नेताओं में से एक, श्री शिबू सोरेन जी झारखंड के उन क़द्दावर नेताओं में गिने जाते थे जिन्होंने समाज के कमजोर वर्गों विशेषरूप से जनजातीय समाज के अधिकारों और उनके सशक्तिकरण के लिए आजीवन संघर्ष किया। वे हमेशा ज़मीन और जनता से जुड़े रहे।…

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 4, 2025

“The former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and one of the country’s senior-most leaders, Shibu Soren, was counted among the towering leaders of Jharkhand who struggled throughout their lives for the rights and empowerment of the weaker sections of society, especially the tribal community. He always remained connected to the land and the people. I had a long acquaintance with him. His passing has caused me great sorrow. My condolences to his family and supporters”, Singh posted on X.

Addressing a press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also paid tribute to the ex-Jharkhand CM and said that he was “no less than God” for the people of his state.

“We always think of Shibu Soren. Coming from a tribal state, that person joined national politics. For the people of Jharkhand, he was no less than a god. Shibu Soren is a member of the Rajya Sabha, and his seat is right next to mine”, he said.

Raut added, “I always asked his party MPs about his health. Two days ago, I was told he was not doing well, and today he has passed away. Uddhav Thackeray and the entire family pay tributes to him. He gave his life for the welfare of the tribal population of his state”.

JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey also remembered Shibu Soren and called him “‘Dev tulya neta” (equal to the God). “For Jharkhand, this is the end of an era. ‘Dev tulya neta’, our guardian, our God, ‘Dishom Guru’ Shibu Soren is no more with us. It is unbelievable. The party gained this stature under his leadership and guidance. He gave Jharkhandis the strength to fight. He gave us a voice…May his soul rest in peace,” Pandey said.

#WATCH | On the demise of former Jharkhand CM and founding patron of JMM, Shibu Soren, party spokesperson Manoj Pandey says, “For Jharkhand, this is the end of an era. ‘Dev tulya neta’, our guardian, our God, ‘Dishom Guru’ Shibu Soren is no more with us. It is unbelievable. The… pic.twitter.com/BpZQx3fNMx

— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2025

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari also expressed grief over the demise of Jharkhand’s tall leader and said that Soren always spoke for the poor, especially for the rights of tribals.

“Shibu Soren was the loudest voice, biggest identity and symbol of the highest honour of the tribals, on the national level and not just in Jharkhand. Whether as the CM of Jharkhand or at the Centre, he consistently spoke out for the poor, labourers, and especially for the rights of tribals. I don’t think there is a bigger (tribal) face than his. I pay my respects to him,” Tiwari said.

Taking to X, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh paid his respects to the former Jharkhand CM. “The creator of Jharkhand, the struggling leader, former Chief Minister Shibu Soren, is no longer among us. May God grant peace to his virtuous soul. May He grant strength to his family and supporters to bear this immense pain,” Singh said in a post.

BJP leader Nishikant Dubey, expressing grief over the demise of the leader, said, “An era has ended, may God grant you and your entire family the strength to bear this sorrow. Respected Shibu Soren ji made a significant contribution to the growth of JMM”.

Shibu Soren led the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for 38 years and is known as the founding patron of the party. He was the third Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Over a four-decade career in politics, Soren was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and served as a Rajya Sabha MP for two terms. (ANI)