Leaders Honor Shibu Soren at Emotional ‘Shraddh’ Ceremony in Jharkhand

In a heartfelt ‘Shraddh’ ceremony held in Nemra village, Jharkhand, dignitaries including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, and yoga guru Baba Ramdev gathered to honor the late Shibu Soren, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) co-founder and former Chief Minister, who passed away on August 4, 2025, at 81.

Rajnath Singh likened Soren to tribal legend Bhagwan Birsa Munda, praising his simplicity and lifelong dedication to uplifting the poor. “If any warrior emerged in the tribal community after Birsa Munda, it was ‘Dishom Guru’ Shibu Soren. His loss is irreparable,” Singh said, representing the Centre and his party at the event, held 70 km from Ranchi in Ramgarh district.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Soren’s son, led the rituals with a tonsured head, dressed in a tribal dhoti, kurta, and gamcha, joined by his tonsured sons and brother Basant. Soren’s wheelchair-bound mother, Roopi, and wife, Kalpana, were present, with Singh and Ramdev respectfully touching Roopi’s feet for blessings. Hemant also mingled with attendees and oversaw dining arrangements.

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The ceremony saw significant public participation, with meticulous arrangements ensuring smooth proceedings. Over 300 e-rickshaws ferried visitors from three large parking zones equipped with bio-toilets, while rest areas and pedestrian pathways eased movement. Three dining pandals served traditional ‘Shraddh’ meals and prasad. A dedicated control room, backed by 10 IPS officers, 60 deputy superintendents, 65 inspectors, and over 2,500 police personnel, managed security and traffic, supported by multi-agency teams for crowd control and safety.

A memorial gallery showcased Soren’s remarkable journey through photographs, highlighting his contributions to tribal welfare and public service. Former Union minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey called Soren’s rise from Jharkhand’s forests to Parliament “incredible.”

Born on January 11, 1944, in Nemra (then in Bihar), Soren, fondly called ‘Dishom Guru’ (leader of the land), was a towering figure in India’s tribal politics. Co-founding JMM in 1973 with A K Roy and Binod Bihari Mahto, he championed the cause of a separate Jharkhand state, realized on November 15, 2000, after decades of grassroots activism against feudal exploitation. Soren’s influence extended nationally, serving as a Lok Sabha MP from Dumka, a Rajya Sabha MP from 2020, and Union Coal Minister in the UPA government during 2004-2006.

The ‘Shraddh’ ceremony marked the end of an era, with leaders like Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, and MP Pappu Yadav joining thousands to celebrate Soren’s enduring legacy as a tribal icon and advocate for the marginalized.

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