Shibu Soren, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and the founding patron of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), passed away on Monday at the age of 81. His son, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, announced the news through an emotional post on X, stating, “Respected Guru Dishom has left us all. Today, I have become empty…”

Soren breathed his last at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi at 8:56 a.m. after battling prolonged illness. The hospital confirmed that he had been suffering from kidney-related ailments and had also suffered a stroke about a month and a half ago. He had been on life support for the past month under the care of Dr. A.K. Bhalla, Chairman of Nephrology, along with a team of neurologists and ICU specialists.

Known affectionately as “Guruji” or “Dishom Guru” in Jharkhand, Soren played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of the state. Born on January 11, 1944, in Nemra village (then in Bihar, now Jharkhand), he belonged to the Santhal tribal community. At the age of 18, he founded the Santhal Navyuvak Sangh to fight for tribal liberation and land rights. In 1972, he co-founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) with A.K. Roy and Binod Bihari Mahato, advocating tirelessly for a separate state of Jharkhand and tribal empowerment. His efforts culminated in the creation of Jharkhand in the year 2000.

Over his four-decade-long political career, Shibu Soren served as Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times—in 2005, 2008–2009, and 2009–2010—although his tenures were marked by political instability. He was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and served two terms in the Rajya Sabha, with his second term ongoing at the time of his demise.

Shibu Soren leaves behind a legacy of tribal leadership, political resilience, and a significant contribution to the formation and development of Jharkhand.