Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, a prominent leader and the founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has died. Soren, 81, passed away on Monday, August 4th, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, where he had been receiving medical treatment for the past month and a half. His son, Hemant Soren, the current Chief Minister of Jharkhand, confirmed the news.
The mortal remains of Shibu Soren were brought to Ranchi by a special flight. Hemant Soren and his wife, MLA Kalpana Soren, were with the body. A large number of people, who revered him as ‘Dishom Guru’, lined the streets and gathered at Birsa Munda Airport to pay their respects.
JMM supporters and leaders paid tribute with the slogan, ‘Dishom Guru Amar Rahen,’ demonstrating their grief. Following the airport, the body was transported to his residence in Morhabadi. The funeral will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday at Nemra, his ancestral village in the Ramgarh district. Basant Soren, his younger son, will conduct the last rites.
Several prominent political figures are expected to attend the funeral, including Congress leaders Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and other leaders also offered their condolences at the hospital in Delhi. The Jharkhand government has declared a three-day period of state mourning. Shibu Soren had been ill for a considerable time and was on life support for a month.