Jharkhand is abuzz with celebrations following the Padma Bhushan award to late leader Shibu Soren, former Chief Minister and beacon of tribal rights. Yet, his sister Sukhi Tudu has captured headlines by demanding the Bharat Ratna, arguing that his unparalleled service to the nation warrants the supreme accolade.
Tudu’s reaction blended gratitude with resolve. ‘The Padma Bhushan makes us proud, but it doesn’t match the scale of what Dishom Guru gave to our people and state,’ she told reporters in Saraikela.
She painted a vivid picture of Soren’s youth: tirelessly roaming forests to awaken tribal consciousness, forge unity, and challenge the stranglehold of usurious lenders and feudal systems. These efforts propelled him from activist to statesman.
Beyond politics, Soren stood as the embodiment of Adivasi self-respect, resource rights, and justice. Tudu invoked the persistent public plea in Jharkhand for Bharat Ratna, framing his life as an epic of selflessness and combat against injustice.
Drawing from family traditions of service – led by their socially engaged mother – Tudu noted Soren’s supreme commitment among siblings. The recent award has catalyzed renewed national discourse on his contributions, intensifying the Bharat Ratna advocacy.
Soren’s story resonates today amid tribal issues, serving as a rallying cry. With supporters united, this could mark a pivotal push for honoring one of India’s unsung architects of change.