Jharkhand's former CM Shibu Soren dies at 81

Jharkhand’s former Chief Minister Shibu Soren died on Monday at the age of 81.

He was admitted to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi for more than a month and was undergoing treatment for kidney-related ailments.

Soren was the leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for 38 years and is recognised as the party's founding patron.

आदरणीय दिशोम गुरुजी हम सभी को छोड़कर चले गए हैं।

आज मैं शून्य हो गया हूँ...

— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) August 4, 2025

President Droupadi Murmu said Shibu Soren’s death marked a “big loss in the space of social justice”.

“He championed the cause of tribal identity and formation of the state of Jharkhand,” she wrote on social media. “His emphasis on the welfare of the people, especially the tribal communities, will always be remembered.”

The demise of Shri Shibu Soren Ji is a big loss in the space of social justice. He championed the cause of tribal identity and formation of the state of Jharkhand. Besides his work at the grassroots, he also contributed as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, as a Union Minister and…

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 4, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and said that Shibu Soren was a “grassroots leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication to the people”.

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