Shibu Soren, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a key figure in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), died on Monday, August 4th. He had been receiving treatment at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi for approximately a month and a half, where he ultimately passed away at the age of 81. The announcement of his death was made by his son, Hemant Soren, who currently serves as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
The mortal remains of Shibu Soren were transported from Delhi to Ranchi via a special flight. Accompanying the body were Hemant Soren and his wife, Kalpana Soren, who is also a Member of the Legislative Assembly. Upon arrival, thousands of supporters, eager to bid farewell to ‘Dishom Guru,’ their revered leader, gathered at Birsa Munda Airport and along the surrounding streets.
Chants of ‘Dishom Guru Amar Rahe’ echoed from JMM workers and leaders as they mourned the loss. Large numbers of people came to pay their last respects to the leader. The body was then moved from the airport to his residence in Morabadi, where a large crowd had assembled.
The final rites will be conducted in Nemra, his ancestral village in the Ramgarh district, on Tuesday at noon. It is expected that Basant Soren, Shibu Soren’s youngest son, will perform the final rituals.
Rahul Gandhi and the Congress state president Kharge are among the dignitaries planning to attend the funeral in Ranchi. Leaders from various other political parties are also expected to be present. Before this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his respects to Shibu Soren at Ganga Ram Hospital. President Droupadi Murmu also offered her condolences. Moreover, Congress President Kharge, Misa Bharti, Manoj Jha, Rahul Gandhi, and several leaders from the RJD visited the hospital to meet with the bereaved family.
In response to his death, the Jharkhand government has declared a three-day period of state mourning. Shibu Soren had been in poor health for some time and was on life support in the last month of his treatment at the hospital.