Shibu Soren, fondly known as 'Dishom Guru', the leader of the land, breathed his last at the age of 81, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that forever reshaped Indian politics. As the founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and a key architect in the creation of Jharkhand, Soren’s life was deeply intertwined with the aspirations of tribal communities across the region.

About Shibu Soren

Born on January 11, 1944, in the small village of Nemra (now in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district), Soren’s early years were marked by hardship. At the age of 15, he lost his father, Shobaran Soren, who was allegedly killed by moneylenders in a forest near Gola. This tragic incident profoundly impacted the young Soren, fueling his resolve to fight for the rights of the oppressed, especially Adivasis.

In 1973, Soren co-founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha alongside Marxist leader AK Roy and Binod Bihari Mahto, marking the beginning of a historic movement. Through grassroots mobilisation, Soren galvanised support across the Chotanagpur and Santhal Pargana regions. His fight was not just for a separate state but for the dignity, land rights, and identity of tribal communities who had long felt neglected.

His dream was realised on November 15, 2000, when Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar. For many, this wasn’t just a political development, it was the culmination of decades of struggle led by Soren and his supporters.

Political life 

Soren's influence extended beyond state politics. He was elected multiple times to the Lok Sabha from Dumka and served in the Rajya Sabha. In the UPA government, he held the Coal Ministry portfolio during three different stints. However, his political journey was not without controversy. He faced legal battles, including high-profile cases like the 1975 Chirudih massacre and the 1994 murder of his secretary Shashinath Jha. While he was initially convicted, he was later acquitted by the courts, including the Supreme Court, in 2018.

Despite the turbulence, Soren remained an unshakable figure in Jharkhand’s political landscape. He served thrice as the Chief Minister of the state, although none of his terms lasted long due to fragile coalition arrangements. His political career even survived a bomb attack in 2007 when explosives were hurled at his convoy, an incident that underlined the volatile environment he navigated through his life.

Even in his later years, Soren remained at the heart of JMM, steering the party for nearly four decades. In April 2025, he passed on the mantle to his son Hemant Soren, who has served multiple terms as the state’s Chief Minister. His other son, Basant Soren, is also active in state politics, while his daughter Anjani heads the JMM's Odisha unit. The Soren family continues to carry forward the legacy he built with sweat, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment.

Shibu Soren’s story is not just one of political endurance. It is the story of a man who transformed personal grief into a larger movement, a fight for dignity, self-respect, and identity for millions of India’s tribal people. His legacy will live on in the hills and forests of Jharkhand, in the slogans of its people, and in the hope that justice, even if delayed , is always worth the struggle.