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New Indian Express
05-08-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
'Dishom Guru' Shibu Soren cremated at Nemra village with full State honours
RANCHI: Jharkhand's iconic leader Shibu Soren, affectionately known as 'Dishom Guru', was consigned to flames with full state honours at his native village Nemra in Ramgarh. His son, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, performed the last rites, where Shibu Soren's mortal remains were immersed in the 'Panchtatva'. A massive crowd gathered at Nemra to bid farewell to the veteran politician, with emotions running high as people paid their respects. The village was overwhelmed with grief as people struggled to come to terms with the loss of their beloved leader. Traditional rituals were performed before the cremation, and villagers showered flowers on the funeral procession. The road from Jharkhand Assembly to Nemra was lined with people waiting to catch a glimpse of Shibu Soren for the last time. The funeral procession moved through the narrow lanes of the village, accompanied by chants of 'Shibu Soren Amar Rahe' (Long live Shibu Soren).
Time of India
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Toughest days of my life': Hemant Soren pens emotional note after father Shibu Soren's death; recalls why he was called 'Dishom Guru'
(Photo credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday penned a heartfelt tribute to his father and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren, following his death at the age of 81, calling it the "most toughest time of his life. " Shibu Soren, popularly known as 'Dishom Guru', was a towering figure in Indian tribal politics and played a key role in the movement for Jharkhand's statehood. He passed away on Monday at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi after a prolonged illness. Sharing a post on X, Soren described the immense personal and public loss, stating that beyond losing a father, Jharkhand has lost a crucial leader. "I am going through the toughest days of my life. Not only has the shadow of a father been taken from me, but a pillar of Jharkhand's soul has departed," Hemant Soren posted on X. "I didn't just call him 'Baba,' He was my guide, the root of my thoughts, and that forest-like shade that protected thousands and lakhs of Jharkhandis from the scorching sun and injustice," he continued. Recalling his father's humble beginnings, he said that his father was, "born in that small house in Nemra village, where there was poverty, there was hunger, but there was courage. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo In his childhood, he lost his father. The exploitation of the landlords gave him a fire that made him a fighter for his entire life." The Jharkhand CM further reflected on how his father led not through words alone but by living the struggles of the people. "I have seen him tilling the fields, sitting among the people, not just giving speeches, but living the sorrows of the people," he said. Explaining the origin of the title 'Dishom Guru', Hemant shared a childhood memory saying, "In my childhood, when I asked him, 'Baba, why do people call you Dishom Guru?' He would smile and say: 'Because, son, I only understood their pain and made their fight my own.'" "That title was not written in any book, nor was it given by Parliament. It came from the hearts of Jharkhand's people," Soren added. He also explained the meaning behind the name: "'Dishom' means society, 'Guru' means the one who shows the way." He also praised his father's fearless commitment to justice, saying that he was not afraid of "taking on the mightiest of the mighty." "I was scared, but Baba was never afraid. He would say: 'If standing against injustice is a crime, then I will be guilty again and again.' No book can explain Baba's struggle. It was in his sweat, in his voice, and in the cracked heels covered by his sandals," Hemant said. He recalled his father's humility even after Jharkhand achieved statehood. "When Jharkhand became a state, His dream came true, but he never considered power an achievement. He said: "This state is not a throne for me, It is the identity of my people." Hemant ended his note by acknowledging his father's fighting spirit, stating that his presence would continue in every aspect of Jharkhand's existence. "The dream you saw is now my promise. I will not let Jharkhand bow down; I will not let your name fade away. Your struggle will not remain incomplete. Baba, now you rest. You have fulfilled your duty. Now we must walk in your footsteps. Jharkhand will remain indebted to you. I, your son, will keep your promise," the CM noted. Shibu Soren leaves behind a legacy of struggle, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to the cause of tribal empowerment in India. The emotional tribute came, as leaders across the political spectrum paid their respects to a the veteran leader. The final rites of the three-time Jharkhand chief minister will take place in Jharkhand on Tuesday.
The Print
04-08-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Tribal titan Shibu Soren: A legacy of power, struggles and controversies
Born on January 11, 1944, in Ramgarh district's Nemra village (then in Bihar, now in Jharkhand), Soren, who was popularly known as 'Dishom Guru' (leader of the land) and patriarch of JMM, is one of the most enduring political figures in the country's tribal and regional political landscape. The death of 81-year-old Soren marks the end of a political era that saw tribal movement rise to national prominence. Ranchi, Aug 4 (PTI) Shibu Soren, the veteran tribal leader who played a key role in Jharkhand's creation and founded the JMM, leaves behind a legacy that reshaped the country's politics. His political life was defined by continuous advocacy for the rights for tribals. According to Soren's family, his early life was marked by personal tragedy and deep socio-economic struggles. Soren was 15 years old when his father, Shobaran Soren, was allegedly killed by moneylenders in Lukaiyatand forest, some 16 km from Gola block headquarters on November 27, 1957. This left a deep impact on him and became a catalyst for his future political activism. In 1973, Soren co-founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) along with Bengali Marxist trade unionist AK Roy and Kurmi-Mahto leader Binod Bihari Mahto during a public meeting at Golf Ground Dhanbad. The JMM soon became the primary political voice for the demand for a separate tribal state and got support across the Chotanagpur and Santhal Pargana regions. Soren's grassroots mobilisation against feudal exploitation is said to have shaped him into a tribal icon. After decades of agitation, steered by him and others, the demand for a separate state was finally fulfilled with the formation of Jharkhand on November 15, 2000. Soren's influence was not confined to state politics. He was elected several times to the Lower House from Dumka – the eighth time between May 2014-2019 as member of the 16th Lok Sabha. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in June 2020. As a key figure in the UPA government, he served as Union Coal Minister from May 23 to July 24, 2004; November 27, 2004 to March 2, 2005; and January 29 to November 2006. However, his ministerial stints at the Centre were overshadowed by serious legal challenges. In July 2004, an arrest warrant was issued against him in connection with the 1975 Chirudih massacre case, in which he was named the main accused in the killing of 11 people. He went underground briefly before being arrested. After spending time in judicial custody, he was granted bail in September 2004 and re-inducted into the Union Cabinet in November. Later, a court in March 2008 absolved him of all charges. His legal woes didn't end there. On November 28, 2006, Soren, along with others, was convicted in the sensational 1994 kidnapping and murder case of his former personal secretary, Shashinath Jha. The CBI alleged that Jha was murdered in Ranchi because he possessed knowledge about a political payoff deal between the Congress and JMM during a no-confidence motion against the Narasimha Rao government in 1993. The case drew nationwide attention, though Soren later successfully appealed the conviction. The Supreme Court in April 2018 upheld Soren's acquittal in the case. Despite these controversies, Soren remained a towering figure in Jharkhand's political sphere. He served as Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times — in March 2005 (for just 10 days from March 2 to March 11), August 27, 2008 to January 12, 2009, and from December 30, 2009 to May 31, 2010. Each term was short-lived due to the fragile nature of coalition politics in the state. In June 2007, Soren survived an assassination attempt when bombs were hurled at his convoy near Dumaria village in Deoghar district while he was being escorted to jail in Dumka, after appearing in a court in Giridih, underlining the high stakes and volatile environment surrounding his political life. Yet, his political dominance in Jharkhand politics endured, both through his personal appeal and through his party, which he continues to lead as founding patron. Soren served as the JMM's chief for 38 years until April 2025, when he was made the party's founding patron. His son, Hemant Soren, who had served as executive president, was elected JMM president. The party is currently a member of the opposition INDIA bloc at the national level. Shibu Soren's personal life has also been closely tied to his political narrative. He is survived by wife Roopi Soren, three sons and daughter Anjani, who is the party's Odisha unit head. His elder son Durga Soren died in May 2009. The other son Hemant Soren, has carried forward the family's political legacy and currently serves as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, having held the position across multiple terms. His youngest son Basant Soren is a legislator. For many in Jharkhand, Shibu Soren remains a symbol of their long-fought struggle for identity and self-rule—a legacy that continues through the next generation. PTI NAM MNB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
