President Droupadi Murmu Honours Shibu Soren, Steps Down From Dais To Award Padma Bhushan

New Delhi: Shibu Soren, the founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and former Chief Minister, was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan. The award was conferred during a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday evening. Shibu Soren's wife, Rupi Soren, received the honor from President Droupadi Murmu. Kalpana Soren, wife of Hemant Soren, was also present on the occasion.

Did President step down from the dais as Rupi Soren arrived?

Rupi Soren arrived at the ceremony in a wheelchair to receive the Padma Bhushan awarded posthumously to Shibu Soren. Upon seeing her in the wheelchair, President Droupadi Murmu stepped down from the dais to personally hand over the award to her. This gesture moved everyone present at the ceremony.

#WATCH | Delhi | JMM patriarch & tribal leader Shibu Soren awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously in the field of Public Affairs by President Droupadi Murmu

The award was received by his wife, Rupi Soren. pic.twitter.com/JsL2xsX7fL

— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2026

How did the JMM react?

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) expressed happiness over Shibu Soren receiving the Padma Bhushan. JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey stated that this is a proud moment for the entire state of Jharkhand. He remarked that while Shibu Soren was truly deserving of the 'Bharat Ratna', the honor conferred by the Central Government should also be welcomed. He described Shibu Soren not merely as a leader, but as an institution and an ideology in himself. His life, struggles, and philosophy will continue to guide future generations. He urged the Central Government to include Shibu Soren's life struggles and contributions in the national educational curriculum so that the new generation can draw inspiration from his ideals and struggles.

Where was Shibu Soren born?

Shibu Soren was born on January 11, 1944, in Nemra village, located in the Ramgarh district of the then-Bihar (now Jharkhand). His father, Sobran Soren, used to raise his voice against exploitation by moneylenders. He was killed during this very struggle. His father's death left a profound impact on the young Shibu Soren, shaping the future course of his life. In the 1970s, he launched a movement in the Santhal Pargana and North Chotanagpur regions against the exploitative moneylending system, land grabbing, and the oppression of tribal communities.

Why did people start calling Shibu Soren 'Guruji'?

Through the 'Dhan-Katni Andolan' (Paddy Harvesting Movement), Shibu Soren spearheaded a campaign to help tribal farmers reclaim their land. During this period, he ran night schools in the Tundi region, imparting education and spreading messages of social awareness and self-reliance. It was here that people began addressing him as 'Guruji'. With the formation of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in 1972, he gave an organized political direction to the struggle for a separate state of Jharkhand. He remained the most prominent face of this movement for nearly three decades.

Ultimately, on November 15, 2000, Jharkhand became a separate state—an achievement regarded as the crowning success of his long struggle. Shibu Soren served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times. He was elected as a Member of Parliament from the Dumka constituency on multiple occasions and also served as the Union Minister for Coal.