Ranchi: The nation paid tribute to one of Jharkhand’s tallest leaders on Tuesday as veteran tribal icon and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren was posthumously conferred the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour. His wife, Rupi Soren, accepted the award from President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
The ceremony turned into an emotional moment as Shibu Soren’s name echoed through the grand hall, drawing respect for a leader whose life was dedicated to protecting the rights of tribal communities and safeguarding the ideals of ‘Jal, Jungle, Zameen’. His daughter-in-law Kalpana Soren was also present during the award presentation.
The Central government had announced the honour on January 25 this year in recognition of Shibu Soren’s outstanding contribution to public affairs. Tuesday’s ceremony formally acknowledged his decades-long struggle for tribal rights, social justice and the creation of Jharkhand.
Born on January 11, 1944, in Nemra village of present-day Ramgarh district, Shibu Soren’s journey into public life began after a personal tragedy. At the age of 13, he lost his father, Sobaran Soren, who was allegedly killed for opposing the exploitation of tribal communities by moneylenders. The incident shaped his resolve to fight injustice and defend the rights of the poor and marginalised.
He went on to lead a grassroots campaign against the exploitative moneylending system, illegal land occupation and the displacement of tribal communities. His efforts helped many families recover their land and inspired thousands to join his movement. His immense popularity across the Santhal Pargana region earned him the title ‘Dishom Guru’.
In the early 1970s, Shibu Soren founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, transforming the demand for a separate Jharkhand into a mass movement. His leadership united tribal communities and other marginalised groups under a common platform, eventually paving the way for the formation of Jharkhand in November 2000.
Following the creation of the state, he continued to play a key role in Jharkhand’s politics. He served three terms as Chief Minister in 2005, 2008 and 2009-10 and also held the post of Union Coal Minister. Despite the challenges of coalition politics, he remained committed to issues affecting tribals, farmers, labourers and other disadvantaged sections of society.
Shibu Soren also enjoyed a distinguished parliamentary career. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Dumka eight times and later served as a Rajya Sabha member, making him one of the most influential tribal leaders in independent India’s political history.
Shibu Soren passed away in 2025 at the age of 81, but his contribution to Jharkhand’s identity and the struggle for tribal rights continues to inspire future generations. The Padma Bhushan serves as a lasting national recognition of his lifelong dedication to public service and the empowerment of tribal communities.
For Jharkhand, the honour is more than a civilian award—it is a tribute to a leader whose vision and struggle became the foundation of the state’s journey and whose legacy will continue to live on in its history.