New Delhi, June 23: Shibu Soren, the founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and a prominent figure in the Jharkhand movement, was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan on Tuesday evening at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. His wife, Rupi Soren, received the honor from President Droupadi Murmu.
Rupi Soren, who arrived at the event in a wheelchair, was personally approached by the President to present the Padma Bhushan. This emotional moment moved many attendees. Shibu Soren is remembered as a hero in Jharkhand’s political and social history, having championed tribal identity, rights over water, forests, and land, and the demand for a separate Jharkhand state. He is respectfully known as ‘Disha Guru’ and ‘Guruji.’
Born on January 11, 1944, in the village of Nemra in the then Bihar (now Jharkhand), Shibu Soren was deeply influenced by the struggles of his father, Sobran Soren, who raised his voice against exploitative practices. Tragically, his father was murdered during this struggle, leaving a lasting impact on young Shibu Soren and shaping his life’s path. In the 1970s, he initiated movements against exploitative practices and land grabbing in the Santhal Pargana and Northern Chotanagpur regions.
Through the ‘Dhanakotani Movement,’ he fought to reclaim land for tribal farmers. During this time, he also ran night schools in the Tundi area, promoting education, social awareness, and self-reliance. It was during these efforts that people began to call him ‘Guruji.’ In 1972, he organized the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), giving a political direction to the fight for a separate Jharkhand state. For nearly three decades, he remained the most prominent face of this movement.
On November 15, 2000, Jharkhand was officially formed, marking what many consider the pinnacle of his long struggle. Shibu Soren served as Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times and was elected multiple times as a Member of Parliament from the Dumka constituency. He also held the position of Minister of Coal in the central government. However, his most significant identity was as the voice of the tribal community. His political style was unique; instead of grand speeches, he preferred direct communication with the people. Through village meetings, public gatherings, and movements, he built a grassroots support base that endured for decades.
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