Baba Ramdev honors ‘Dishom Guru’ Shibu Soren, consoles family

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev visited Nemra in Jharkhand to pay his last respects to veteran tribal leader Shibu Soren, who passed away earlier this month. Ramdev offered flowers at Soren’s portrait and met his son, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, along with other family members to express his condolences.

Shibu Soren, popularly known as Dishom Guru (meaning “great leader” in the Santhali language), died on 4 August 2025 at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi. He was 81 years old.

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The senior leader had been unwell for several weeks, suffering from a kidney ailment. He was kept on life support after a stroke last month but could not recover.

Soren was a towering figure in Indian politics, especially in tribal affairs. With a career spanning more than four decades, he co-founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which played a key role in the demand for a separate tribal state. His efforts finally led to the creation of Jharkhand in the year 2000.

नेमरा पहुंचकर योग गुरु बाबा रामदेव जी ने दिशोम गुरु शिबू सोरेन जी की तस्वीर पर पुष्पांजलि अर्पित कर श्रद्धांजलि दी तथा हेमन्त जी एवं परिवार के अन्य सदस्यों के साथ मुलाकात कर सांत्वना दी। pic.x.com/dbeKEjmYSr

— Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (@JmmJharkhand) August 16, 2025

Though he served as the chief minister of Jharkhand three times, political instability meant he could not complete any of his terms. Yet, his influence over tribal politics remained unmatched. His son, Hemant Soren, now leads the state as chief minister.

Also Read: Shibu Soren (1944–2025): The Reluctant Revolutionary Who Became Jharkhand’s Conscience

When the news of his death was shared, Hemant Soren posted an emotional message on social media. “Our respected Dishom Guru has left us, I have nothing left,” he wrote.

Tributes have poured in from across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a “grassroot leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication to the people.” Leaders from various political parties also remembered his contribution to social justice and tribal rights.

Shibu Soren’s life story has deep connection to the struggles of Jharkhand’s tribal communities. Born in 1944 in a small village, he grew up in a region that was then part of Bihar. In 1973, he launched the JMM with the dream of securing a separate identity for the tribespeople.

That dream realized when Jharkhand carved out in 2000, and Soren emerged as one of the most important leaders in the new state.