Ranchi/New Delhi: Shibu Soren, the head of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, died on August 4, 2025, at the age of 81. He was known as “Dishom Guru” (Guru of the Land). His son, Hemant Soren, who is also the current Chief Minister of Jharkhand, verified the news. He posted on his X (previously Twitter) account, “Beloved Dishom Guruji has left us.” Today, I lost everything.
Soren died today at 8:56 AM IST after a long fight with sickness. He had been getting treatment for a renal problem at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi for more than a month. About a month and a half ago, he also had a stroke. Hospital sources revealed that he had been on life support for the past month since his condition had gotten so bad. On June 24, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren went to the hospital to see his father. At the time, he said that doctors were looking into his father’s health problems.
A Big Name in Jharkhand Politics
Shibu Soren was a very important person in Indian politics, especially in Jharkhand. He helped start the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) party and was its president for 38 years. He is mostly regarded with leading the effort to make a distinct Jharkhand state out of Bihar, which became a reality in 2000.
There were times of great success and others of great struggle in his political career. Soren was a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Dumka seat for several terms. He won in 1980, 1989, 1991, 1996, 2004, and 2009. He was also a Member of Rajya Sabha, which is India’s upper house of Parliament. He was the Minister for Coal in the Union Cabinet three times under the Manmohan Singh government (in 2004, 2004–2005, and 2006).
Soren was the Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times: from March 2005 to August 2008, from August 2008 to January 2009, and again from December 2009 to May 2010. His political journey wasn’t easy; he had to deal with legal problems and times when he was under a lot of scrutiny. Even with this, he was still a well-known and important voice for tribal rights and the growth of Jharkhand.
What he left behind and how it affected Jharkhand politics
The death of Shibu Soren signifies the end of an era in Jharkhand politics. His leadership had a big impact on the state’s identity and political scene. He was able to get support from industrial and mining workers, as well as minority groups in the area, which helped the JMM’s political base grow. He had slowly prepared his son, Hemant Soren, to take over as the party’s and the state’s leader, but his wisdom and advice were still very important.
His passing is likely to bring condolences from people all over the political spectrum and from the public, especially in Jharkhand, where he was seen as a protector of tribal interests. In the next several days, people will be watching intently to see how his death affects the politics of Jharkhand, especially inside the JMM and the ruling coalition.