Shibu Soren: Profile Check

Shibu Soren: Profile Check

Shibu Soren (1944-2025) was a prominent Indian politician, a significant figure in the movement for Jharkhand statehood, and a founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) political party.

Here's a brief biography:

• Early Life and Education: Born on January 11, 1944, in Nemra village (now in Ramgarh district, Jharkhand), Soren belonged to the Santal tribe. He completed his matriculation from Gola High School, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.

• Activism and Advocacy: His father's alleged murder by moneylenders at a young age deeply impacted him and became a catalyst for his activism. He worked as a school teacher before dedicating himself to tribal rights. He challenged exploitative moneylenders, mobilized tribal communities, and founded the Santhal Navyuvak Sangh.

• Role in Jharkhand Statehood Movement: Soren was a key leader in the movement for a separate Jharkhand state. In 1973, he co-founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) with A.K. Roy and Binod Bihari Mahato, becoming the party's general secretary. He actively participated in agitations for tribal land rights and self-governance.

• Political Career: Soren served multiple terms in both the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian Parliament) and the Rajya Sabha (the upper house). He served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times, although his terms were short-lived. He also held the position of Union Minister for Coal in the UPA government.

• Nickname and Recognition: He was popularly known as "Dishom Guru" (leader of the land) among tribal communities.

• Legacy: Shibu Soren's legacy is deeply intertwined with the identity and assertion of the tribal community and the creation of Jharkhand state. He is remembered for his dedication to empowering tribal communities and advocating for their rights.

• Demise: Shibu Soren passed away on August 4, 2025, at the age of 81, after battling kidney-related complications and a stroke. His passing marked the end of an era in Jharkhand's political landscape, according to NDTV. His son, Hemant Soren, currently serves as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand