Shibu Soren, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a prominent leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), died on August 4th. He was 81. Soren had been receiving medical treatment at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi for the past month and a half, where he ultimately passed away. His son, Hemant Soren, the current Chief Minister of Jharkhand, confirmed his father’s death.
The mortal remains of Shibu Soren were brought to Ranchi from Delhi on a special flight. Hemant Soren and his wife, MLA Kalpana Soren, accompanied the body. A large crowd of people, known as ‘Dishom Guru’, waited outside Birsa Munda Airport and along the streets to pay their final respects.
JMM supporters and leaders chanted slogans, including ‘Dishom Guru Amar Rahen,’ as they mourned the loss of their leader. Soren’s body was taken to his residence in Morhabadi after arriving at the airport.
The funeral is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at 12 noon in Nemra, his ancestral village in the Ramgarh district. Basant Soren, Shibu Soren’s younger son, is expected to perform the last rites.
Several prominent political figures, including Congress leaders Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, are expected to attend the funeral. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and other leaders from various parties visited the hospital in Delhi to offer their condolences. The Jharkhand government has declared a three-day state mourning period in response to Soren’s passing. He had been ill for some time and was on life support for a month.