The mortal remains of veteran tribal leader and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) patriarch Shibu Soren were brought to his Ranchi residence on Monday evening, where family members, party workers, and political leaders had gathered to pay their final respects.
Soren, affectionately known as “Dishom Guru,” passed away at the age of 81 on Monday morning at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, where he had been receiving treatment for kidney-related complications for over a month.
His body was flown from Delhi to Ranchi in a special aircraft and was accompanied by his son, Chief Minister Hemant Soren; his daughter-in-law, legislator Kalpana Soren; and his brother, MLA Basant Soren.
Upon the arrival of the mortal remains at the Ranchi residence, it was placed in Soren’s usual sitting area, where he often met with visitors. The atmosphere was filled with emotional chants like ‘Jab tak suraj chand rahega, Guruji tera naam rahega’ and ‘Guruji Amar Rahe’, reflecting the deep connection people had with the leader.
Leaders cutting across party lines, including BJP state president Babulal Marandi, AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto, and ministers Sudivya Kumar and Dipika Pandey Singh, visited Soren’s residence to offer condolences.
Several political workers and supporters also gathered to pay homage.
Earlier, at Birsa Munda Airport at around 6.30 pm, thousands had gathered to bid farewell as the casket was brought out, with JMM workers and leaders raising slogans such as ‘Dishom Guru Amar Rahe’. The flower-decorated open carriage carrying the late leader’s remains moved slowly through the streets. Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his brother Basant Soren accompanied the open carriage while Kalpana Soren was seen seated in the front of the vehicle during the procession.
Mourners lined the roads to offer floral tributes amid heavy security deployment.
A tribal youth D Majhi at the airport said he served the late leader for about 15 years before the leader ensured his employment with CCL on compassionate grounds.
“I was with him from childhood before he ensured my employment at CCL…May Marang Buru (the supreme tribal deity) grant peace to the departed soul,” he said.
Padmashri Madhu Mansuri Mansukh, who had spent decades with Soren, affirmed that the leader’s work will never be forgotten.
According to JMM sources, the remains will be taken to Soren’s native village, Nemra in Ramgarh district, on Tuesday, where his last rites will be performed.
Shibu Soren’s passing marks the end of an era in Jharkhand’s political landscape, leaving behind a legacy of decades of political activism and tribal empowerment.
Earlier in the day on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to pay homage to Shibu Soren.
In separate posts on X, he wrote: “Went to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to pay homage to Shri Shibu Soren Ji. Also met his family. My thoughts are with Hemant Ji, Kalpana Ji and the admirers of Shri Shibu Soren Ji. @HemantSorenJMM @JMMKalpanaSoren”
“झारखंड के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री शिबू सोरेन जी को भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित की। दुख की इस घड़ी में उनके परिजनों से मिलकर अपनी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त कीं। उनका पूरा जीवन जनजातीय समाज के कल्याण के लिए समर्पित रहा, जिसके लिए वे सदैव याद किए जाएंगे। @HemantSorenJMM @JMMKalpanaSoren,” said the PM.
