Ranchi – Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Sunday conveyed his heartfelt thanks to the Central government for announcing the Padma Bhushan for veteran tribal leader and former Union Minister Shibu Soren, fondly known as ‘Dishom Guru’.
Shibu Soren, the founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), is not only Hemant Soren’s father but also his political mentor and predecessor. Revered across Jharkhand and beyond, Shibu Soren is widely known as ‘Dishom Guru’, a title reflecting his stature among tribal communities.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Hemant Soren said, “On behalf of the people of Jharkhand, I extend my sincere gratitude to the Central government for announcing the Padma Bhushan for our respected and revered Baba Sw Dishom Guruji Shibu Soren.”
The Chief Minister said his father’s life and work go far beyond politics, touching countless lives through his unwavering commitment to equality, social justice, tribal identity, education, women’s empowerment, and the rights of the oppressed and marginalised.
Recalling Shibu Soren’s long struggle for a separate state, Hemant Soren said it was this sustained social and political movement that ultimately led to the formation of Jharkhand, giving its people a distinct identity and a sense of pride.
He further said that Shibu Soren’s influence extends far beyond Jharkhand, resonating with tribal communities across India—from Ladakh to Kerala and from Rajasthan to Assam. Describing him as a true son of the nation, Hemant Soren said that in spirit, Shibu Soren will always remain a “Bharat Ratna” for the people.
The Padma Bhushan announcement has been widely welcomed in Jharkhand, where Shibu Soren is regarded as an icon of tribal pride and social justice. The honour recognises his lifelong dedication to marginalised communities and his decisive role in the creation of the Jharkhand state.
With inputs from IANS